Netball Victoria and the Melbourne Vixens are Gippsland-bound, with the reigning Suncorp Super Netball champions set to visit hundreds of local students in the region in December and the Victorian Netball League to open its season in Traralgon in March.
The Vixens and Netball Victoria are partnering with Latrobe City Council and the Victorian Government to bring a range of elite, pre-elite and pathway netball activity to the region.
The Vixens will run clinics and meet and greet events with students from a range of local schools on Friday, and deliver a Train Like a Vixen On Tour clinic at Moe & District Netball Association in Newborough.
The partnership will also bring Round 1 of the Victorian Netball League to Traralgon’s Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium in March. The Gippsland Stars will host three other VNL clubs to launch the 2026 season, along with umpiring and coaching development opportunities for local officials.
Close to half of Netball Victoria’s participants are regionally based, and these exciting activities form part of the organisation’s commitment to connecting with netball communities and supporting the growth of the game right across the state.
Netball participation in Victoria has grown by 28 per cent since 2022, and the records keep tumbling – 2025 has seen Netball Victoria reach an all-time high of over 120,000 members, and the Vixens’ membership tally of 9380 marks a new club and league record.
Netball Victoria also took the 2025 Suncorp Super Netball trophy on tour in the region in September, visiting various events and competitions at local netball associations to share in the excitement of the Vixens’ thrilling one-goal grand final victory.
Netball Victoria CEO, Andrea Pearman said:
“We know Gippsland is a stronghold for netball in Victoria; so many passionate people are driving the growth of the game and fostering welcoming netball communities across the region.
“Seeing our elite athletes connecting with regional communities reminds us how powerful sport can be, in inspiring young people and facilitating really positive social outcomes.
“We’re proud to partner with the Latrobe City Council and the Victorian Government to make this kind of positive impact possible. Together, we’re building and delivering opportunities that will shape the next generation of Victorian netballers.”
Victorian Government Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos said:
“Traralgon and the wider Gippsland region deserve elite sporting content and we’re proud to help bring our premiership-winning Melbourne Vixens to the area, providing a thrill for students while they prepare for their 2026 season.”
“Our Significant Sporting Events Program helps secure exciting sport events like this across regional Victoria, helping boost local businesses and fill our accommodation providers.”
Latrobe City Council Mayor, Cr Sharon Gibson said:
“How good is this? The Australian Netball Champions, the Melbourne Vixens, coming to Latrobe to show the kids what’s possible. Moments like this help them dream big, back themselves and realise anything’s achievable with a bit of heart and hard work.”
