2026 Association Championships venues announced

Netball Victoria has announced the nine venues that will host the Association Championships across May and June in 2026.

Nillumbik Force Netball Association and Bayside and District Netball Association hosting for the first time at recently developed facilities. In the west, Warrnambool City Netball Association will host again, while the competition will return to the border town Albury Netball Association for the first time since 2022. Echuca and District Netball Association will host in the north, while Essendon District Netball Association will host at Riverside Tennis and Netball Centre, Waverley Night Netball Association at Waverley Netball Centre and Moe and District Netball Association Inc at Monash Reserve.

For the first time, the Open division will feature in a showcase of netball, alongside the Males and All Abilities divisions at the State Netball Centre in Parkville.

Netball Victoria host all finals at the State Netball Centre, as it has done for 22 years.

The Association Championships provide more than 180 Victorian associations and leagues across the state the opportunity to compete in a crucial part of the Netball Victoria pathway, with talent identification opportunities for athletes in the 15 & Under, 17 & Under and Open age groups, and umpires at all tournament days across the state. 

This competition has been the first stepping stone for so many netballers who have since gone on to play for the Melbourne Vixens or represent their country for the Australian Diamonds.

Netball Victoria General Manager – High Performance and Pathways, Sharelle McMahon said:

“Association Championships is the first step in Netball Victoria’s high performance pathway, showcasing the strength of the talent in Victoria at a grassroots level,” said McMahon.

“The competition is integral to the development of athletes and umpires, as it’s often their first exposure to talent identification opportunities into Netball Victoria’s endorsed pathway programs.

“We thank the associations that have been selected to host the 2026 Association Championships for their commitment to the development and engagement of athletes, umpires, coaches and the sport in their areas. We look forward to working with them to deliver successful events across the state.”

Each year, Netball Victoria selects venues and associations in Victoria that not only comply with safety and operational standards but have been fantastic ambassadors of the sport in their area.

To participate in the Association Championships, athletes are selected in their association and league’s representative teams, while umpires are selected and nominated by their associations and leagues to Netball Victoria.

In 2025, Netball Victoria invited talent identified umpires from the qualifying days to officiate at Finals Day. This initiative will continue in 2026 to continue to support the development of umpires within Victoria. 

More information on registration and team lists dates will be sent directly to associations and leagues next week.

Athletes wishing to participate in the Association Championships are advised to speak with their association or league's representative teams coordinator.

Umpires wishing to take part for their chance to get talent identified, can contact their association or league representative program coordinator. Additionally, umpire development opportunities in the lead up to the 2026 Association Championships can be found on the Netball Victoria events calendar.

Coaches wishing to take part will require a minimum development coaching accreditation. Coaching development opportunities in the lead up to the 2026 Association Championships can be found on the Netball Victoria events calendar here.