Melbourne will welcome netball’s leading national competition for women with an intellectual disability, the Marie Little Shield, in 2026.
The tournament is set to take place at Narrandjeri Stadium in Thornbury from 4–6 September, delivered in partnership with Visit Victoria.
Named in honour of Sport Inclusion Australia founder Marie Little OAM – a trailblazing netballer and administrator who played a pivotal role in advancing opportunities for people with disability – the competition has provided a national stage for female athletes with an intellectual disability since launching in 2013.
Since 2024, the Marie Little Shield has brought together teams from every state and territory, competing in a round-robin format to determine the national champions.
New South Wales will head into the 2026 event as back-to-back titleholders, after securing gold in Brisbane in both 2024 and 2025.
Netball Australia CEO Stacey West said the event continues to highlight the sport’s strong commitment to inclusion and accessibility.
“The Marie Little Shield keeps building momentum, and highlights how important it is to create meaningful opportunities for athletes of all abilities,” West said.
“Our sport is for everyone, that’s part of the fabric of netball, and events like the Marie Little Shield are one of the ways we can foster a more inclusive and diverse netball community at every level.
“The skill and pride on display from these athletes each year is inspiring – it really captures how powerful sport can be when everyone feels they belong.”
The Marie Little Shield is proudly supported by the Victorian Government through Visit Victoria, along with the Confident Girls Foundation.
