The Victorian All Abilities State Team has been crowned champions of the 2026 Marie Little Shield, overcoming reigning champions New South Wales 25–19 in a thrilling gold medal match at Narrandjeri Stadium in Thornbury on Sunday.
After finishing with silver at last year’s Marie Little Shield, Victoria returned to the national competition determined to go one better in 2026. Across three days of competition, the Victorian side showcased resilience, teamwork and determination to finish the tournament with gold around their necks.
The Marie Little Shield brings together female athletes from across Australia with an intellectual disability, providing an opportunity to compete at the national level and represent their state on the national stage. The 2026 tournament was contested from Friday 4 September to Sunday 6 September at Thornbury’s Narrandjeri Stadium, with each state taking to the court across the three-day competition. All matches were livestreamed, allowing supporters to follow the action throughout the tournament.
The tournament was a particularly memorable one for several Victorian athletes, with Caytlyn Sharp making her Marie Little Shield debut and taking to the national stage for the first time.
Kylie Rowbottom also made a welcome return to the Victorian team, stepping back onto the court at the Marie Little Shield after an extended period away from the side.
There was also a strong Victorian connection across the competition, with Victorian Development Squad athletes Jazmyn Ponting and Emily Harding representing the Northern Territory.
While Ponting and Harding lined up against their fellow Victorians during the tournament, their involvement highlighted the opportunities available to athletes through the Victorian pathway and made for a special connection across the competition.
Victoria got its campaign underway on Friday with a strong 39–19 victory over South Australia in Round 1.
The side backed up its opening performance later that day with a 30–18 win over Western Australia in a competitive Round 2 contest, giving Victoria two wins from its opening two matches.
Saturday brought a challenging encounter against New South Wales, with Victoria going down narrowly 17–14 in Round 3.
The team responded strongly in its final round-robin match, defeating the Northern Territory 30–7. The match was also a memorable moment off the court, with Victoria and the Northern Territory coming together for a shared warm-up before taking to the court.
Victoria carried its momentum into Sunday’s finals, facing Western Australia in the first finals round. A strong performance saw Victoria claim a 31–14 victory and secure its place in the gold medal match.
Waiting for Victoria in the decider was New South Wales, setting up a rematch between the two sides after their close encounter the previous day.
With gold on the line, Victoria produced when it mattered most. The team fought hard across the four quarters to secure a 25–19 victory over the reigning champions and claim the 2026 Marie Little Shield.
The result marks a special achievement for the Victorian team, improving on its silver-medal finish from 2025 to take home gold in 2026.
Congratulations to the Victorian All Abilities State Team on an outstanding tournament and a well-deserved gold medal.
