More Players, More Fans, More Value: A Record‑Breaking Year for Victorian Netball
Victorian netball has surged to new heights, recording unprecedented participation, engagement and commercial growth, with Netball Victoria’s 2025 membership figures released at Thursday evening’s Annual General Meeting.
More Victorians than ever before are playing or participating in netball, with Netball Victoria membership reaching 121,850 in 2025, representing a 3.5 per cent increase on the previous year. Growth was recorded across both senior and junior participants, with the Geelong region leading the state for participation growth.
Beyond traditional membership, netball participation continued to expand through community programs and social competitions. Hundreds of thousands of Victorians played, coached or officiated across the year, with coaching activity increasing by 29 per cent and umpiring activity rising by 44.6 per cent.
The figures demonstrate the game’s increasing reach into new participant groups, with multicultural membership increasing by 38 per cent and participation by First Nations peoples growing by 36 per cent compared to the previous year.
Strong participation growth was echoed at the elite level, with booming fan support and commercial success for the Melbourne Vixens in a landmark year. The Vixens claimed the 2025 Suncorp Super Netball Championship, supported by record engagement across broadcast, digital and commercial channels.
In 2025, the Melbourne Vixens reached more than 1.5 million fans nationwide and generated $8.3 million in QI media value. The team became the most-followed women’s domestic sporting team in Australia on social media and the most-watched Suncorp Super Netball team across Kayo, Fox Sports and Binge.
The strength of the Victorian netball pathway was further highlighted with six Melbourne Vixens players named in the 2025–26 Australian Diamonds squad, reflecting the depth of talent being developed within the state.
Other key highlights from a strong year for Victorian netball in 2025 included:
- Revenue growth of 7.6 per cent, with a modest surplus returned to invest back into the game
- Over $62 million committed by the Victorian Government to community netball infrastructure projects, contributing to a total $185 million in government-backed infrastructure investment
- First Nations membership increasing to 2,568 participants, up from 1,882 in 2024, now representing 2 per cent of total Netball Victoria membership
- Achievement of Gold Tier status in the annual Pride in Sport Index
- Launch of the Green Band initiative, supporting and nurturing umpires under 18 by ensuring they are easily identifiable on court, aligned with Victoria’s Child Safe Standards
Netball Victoria CEO Andrea Pearman said netball continues to play a vital role in connecting communities across the state.
“Netball has always played an important role in the lives of the many people involved in our great game and in bringing communities together across Victoria. Judging by the tremendous growth in participation and interest we saw throughout 2025 and into 2026, this has never been more the case,” Ms Pearman said.
“Growing multicultural and First Nations participation reflected the expansion of culturally safe and inclusive programs being delivered across grassroots and elite levels of the game.”
“My heartfelt thanks go to our affiliates, competitions and members who work tirelessly and selflessly to make the game such a success, particularly the volunteers who turn up day after day for the sheer love of netball.
“I also thank our partners and supporters who believe in the value netball delivers to communities right across Victoria. This includes the Victorian Government, whose continued investment in infrastructure, quality facilities for players – particularly women – and increased support for administrators and volunteers is clearly delivering long-term benefits.”
Netball Victoria President Carol Cathcart said: “2025 was a milestone year for netball in Victoria, and we are incredibly grateful to the netball community for coming together to grow and strengthen the game, culminating in the Melbourne Vixens’ Championship victory.”
Thursday's AGM saw the re-election of Carol Cathcart and Andrea Booth and the election of Rebecca Carroll and Nicole O’Hare. Rebecca Carroll is a senior executive with extensive experience in governance, commercial performance, and strategic delivery, and previously played State League netball. Nicole O’Hare, who previously last served on the Board in 2024, brings strong governance, strategic leadership, and business management experience, including prior service with Netball Victoria.
View Netball Victoria's 2025 Annual Report
