Netball Victoria's 2026 Association Championships have concluded after another exciting season of competition, with the state's best associations and leagues showcasing exceptional talent, determination and sportsmanship across Victoria.
A total of 432 teams representing 106 associations and leagues competed throughout the Championships before the top teams progressed to Finals Day, where eight division champions were crowned following a series of thrilling grand finals.
The Championships once again highlighted the depth of talent across metropolitan and regional Victoria, with several grand finals producing dramatic finishes and showcasing the importance of the competition as a key talent identification event within Netball Victoria's pathway.
Thrilling grand finals decide champions
The 13 & Under Female division saw Casey Netball Association reverse its earlier pool match result to defeat Parkville Netball 19-10. The two sides finished level on points during the preliminary rounds after Parkville claimed a narrow 12-10 victory over Casey earlier in the day, but Casey produced its best performance when it mattered most to secure the title.
In the 13 & Under Male competition, Altona Netball Association completed an unbeaten campaign, defeating Hoppers Crossing Netball Association 10-3 in the grand final. While Hoppers Crossing improved each time the two teams met throughout the day, Altona remained undefeated from start to finish to claim the championship.
The 15 & Under Female grand final produced one of the most memorable finishes of the tournament. After Northern Football Netball League led for most of the match, Altona Netball Association mounted a late comeback before scoring on the buzzer to secure an incredible 11-10 victory. The result reversed the teams' earlier meeting, where Northern FNL had won by a single goal. The appearance also marked Northern FNL's first-ever Finals Day.
Hoppers Crossing Netball Association successfully defended its 15 & Under Male title with an 18-5 victory over Melbourne East Netball Association. Despite the convincing grand final scoreline, the two sides had been separated by just one goal during the preliminary rounds, while Melbourne East also recorded a draw against Darebin Netball Association earlier in the tournament.
The 17 & Under Female division was claimed by Hampden Football Netball League, defeating Goulburn Valley League 14-11. Hampden finished on top of the ladder despite two losses across the day and was one of only three teams in the division not to record a draw, while Goulburn Valley progressed to the grand final after finishing third following three drawn matches.
Hoppers Crossing Netball Association also retained the 17 & Under Male championship, defeating Waverley District Netball Association 12-9. Hoppers Crossing completed the tournament undefeated, while Waverley progressed after several closely contested matches throughout the day. Their earlier meeting was decided by just one goal.
In the Open division, Ovens & Murray Football Netball League capped an unbeaten tournament by defeating Murray Netball League 17-13. Both teams topped their respective pools heading into the finals, with Murray's only defeat before the grand final coming earlier in the tournament. Ovens & Murray's victory also saw them dethrone 2025 Open champions Goulburn Valley League.
The All Abilities grand final delivered another dramatic finish, with Bayside & District Netball Association Blue defeating Melbourne East Netball Association 4-3 after scoring the winning goal with less than five seconds remaining. The teams had previously drawn 3-3 during the preliminary rounds. The victory secured Bayside & District's third consecutive championship, with the association having now reached every All Abilities grand final since the division was introduced in 2022.
Defending champions continue their dominance
Several associations continued their success on Finals Day, with Hoppers Crossing Netball Association defending both its 15 & Under Male and 17 & Under Male championships for a second consecutive year.
Meanwhile, Bayside & District Netball Association extended its remarkable All Abilities record with a third straight title, while Ovens & Murray Football Netball League claimed the Open championship after ending Goulburn Valley League's reign as defending premiers.
The 2026 Championships also marked the first year Hoppers Crossing was unable to defend its 13 & Under title after winning the division in both 2024 and 2025.
Growing participation across Victoria
The 2026 Championships welcomed a number of returning and new associations, highlighting the continued growth of community netball across the state.
Northern Pride Netball Association entered the 13 & Under Male team for the first time, while Wonthaggi & District Netball Association and Football Netball East Gippsland returned after several years away. Rochester Netball Association competed for the second consecutive year following a lengthy hiatus, while Macedon Ranges Netball Association returned with three teams after not participating for at least six years.
Mid Gippsland Football Netball League also stepped up to compete in the Championship division after previously entering the Reserve division, while Nepean Netball Association returned to the competition, celebrating three wins throughout the tournament. Upper Murray Football Netball League also made a welcome return after several years away.
The Championships also embraced innovation, with live scoring technology used across every competition day except the Eastern Zone. The new system streamlined match administration, allowing host volunteers to spend more time supporting participants rather than manually entering scores.
Creating opportunities through inclusive pathways
Association Championships continue to play a vital role in Netball Victoria's talent pathway by providing athletes from metropolitan and regional communities with meaningful opportunities to be identified in a high-performance environment.
The regional delivery model reduces travel and financial barriers, ensuring more athletes can access quality competition while being assessed by talent scouts from across Victoria. Athletes identified throughout the Championships become eligible for further opportunities, including trials for Netball Victoria Talent Academies and state representative programs.
The Championships also continue to strengthen inclusive pathways through the All Abilities and male competitions. Following the 2025 All Abilities Championships, 12 athletes were invited to trial for the Marie Little Shield team, with five new athletes earning trial opportunities and one securing a training partner position.
By providing equitable access to competition and talent identification, the Association Championships continue to strengthen local association programs while supporting the next generation of Victorian netballers on their pathway to elite competition.
