The Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium will play host to the opening showcase of the 2026 Victorian Netball League (VNL) season, with a blockbuster day of netball set to officially launch the biggest season yet.
With Round 1 of the VNL season starting on the 11 March, the 2026 Gippsland Showcase will see the Gippsland Stars, Peninsula Waves, Casey Demons and Wilson Storage Southern Saints launch their season in back-to-back games on the 15 March in front of a passionate, regional crowd.
Beyond the on-court action, the day will also include an umpiring workshop, as well as a Netball Victoria regional forum which will provide valuable professional development opportunities for the Gippsland netball community.
Netball Victoria Eastern Region Manager Judi Buhagiar said:
“We had the Melbourne Vixens visit in December, and now we’re thrilled to be hosting the Victorian Netball League blockbuster. It’s fantastic for kids to see future stars in action and to experience the pathway opportunities that now exist thanks to the establishment of our own Victorian Netball League club, the Gippsland Stars.”
"There is also an opportunity for umpires to join us for the ultimate game day umpire experience. From The Sidelines workshops offer front-row insight into Victorian Netball League, enabling you to sharpen your decision-making and movement, and take valuable high-performance habits back to your own officiating and mentoring."
"We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Netball Victoria and the State Government to host the Gippsland Netball Showcase," Latrobe City Council Mayor, Councillor Sharon Gibson added.
"Netball is a much-loved sport here in Latrobe and we have incredible talent right here in Gippsland.”
With a strong mix of 23&Under and Championship Division match-ups, the day promises intense competition and a genuine pathway showcase which can be enjoyed by aspiring athletes and all fans across the region.
Held on Gunaikurnai Country, the Gippsland Showcase is proudly supported by the Victorian Government and Latrobe City Council, reinforcing Netball Victoria’s ongoing commitment to bringing elite netball to regional communities.
The 2026 Gippsland Showcase is set to be a celebration of regional netball excellence and it will be a great way to officially launch the Victorian Netball League season in front of one of the most spirited netball communities in the state.
MATCH SCHEDULE – SUNDAY 15 MARCH
- 11:00am – Gippsland Stars vs Peninsula Waves (23&Under) | Court 3
- 12.30pm – Gippsland Stars vs Peninsula Waves (Championship) | Court 3
- 12.30pm – Casey Demons vs Wilston Storage Southern Saints (23&Under) | Court 2
- 12.30pm – Umpiring workshop | Function room/courtside – BOOK TICKETS
- 2.00pm – Casey Demons vs Wilson Storage Southern Saints (Champ) | Court 3
Tickets are on sale now via TryBooking – Purchase Here.
A Morwell Development Coach workshop will also be held on the Saturday 21 March. Booking via the Netball Learning Centre
