Netball Victoria and the Melbourne Vixens will visit Bendigo in the state’s north for a pre-season showcase of Victorian Netball League matches and Super Netball training action on Saturday 10 February.
The event will feature VNL exhibition matches between the Bendigo Strikers and Boroondara Express, a Vixens open training session, and a community clinic at Bendigo’s Red Energy Arena on Dja Dja Wurrung Country, thanks to the support of the City of Greater Bendigo.
The event will mark the first opportunity for Victorians to watch new VNL club Bendigo Strikers take the court – Strikers will join the state’s premier netball competition in 2024 as one of three new clubs, alongside the Gippsland Stars and Melton-based Western Warriors.
The Strikers and Express will face off with exhibition matches between their 23&Under sides and Championship sides as part of their pre-season preparations, before Round 1 kicks off on Wednesday 6 March. Fans can also watch the clubs’ respective development squads in a pre-season practice match at the arena.
Following the VNL matches the Vixens will be put through their paces in an open training session, where fans can watch their favourite athletes and gain an insight into the high performance training environment.
A community clinic will take place at the venue ahead of all the showcourt action, including a meet and greet opportunity with Vixens athletes for registered participants. Bookings are compulsory, with tickets also including entry to the showcourt for VNL matches and the Vixens’ open training session.
All tickets for the event are general admission and on sale now via Ticketek.
Netball Victoria CEO Andrea Pearman said:
“The Bendigo netball community showed us just how passionate they are in 2023, and we’re pleased to be returning this year to showcase some exciting developments in the region – including the introduction of the Bendigo Strikers to our state’s premier competition, the Victorian Netball League.”
“The Vixens are also excited to be heading back to Bendigo, this time to give fans a glimpse into the intensity and demands of the high performance training environment, and to meet some of the up and coming stars of Victorian netball from the region as part of our community activities.”
City of Greater Bendigo Manager Tourism and Major Events Terry Karamaloudis said:
“We are delighted to welcome the Vixens back to Bendigo and to have this opportunity for the Bendigo Strikers to take to the court for the first time as a team at home.”
“Bendigo loves its netball, so it is wonderful for aspiring junior players to be able to meet elite netballers and watch those at the top of their game at the fantastic Red Energy Arena.”
Bendigo Strikers President Melinda Keighran said:
“It is fantastic to have Netball Vic and the Vixens announce their trip to Bendigo and providing the Strikers with an opportunity to kick start the season with our first practice match as part of the program. It's a key milestone for the Strikers squad preparation for the start of the season and from a club perspective it's an amazing opportunity to springboard our connection to our new fan base and the local netball community.”
Event schedule and ticketing information
