NETBALL Victoria has announced the seven venues that will host the Association Championships across May and June next year, in its 25th year of competition.
Shepparton Netball Association will hold the competition for the 10th time, and Warrnambool City Netball Association will also host after successful event delivery in previous years. Darebin Netball Association, Mountain District Netball Association and Bairnsdale Netball Association’s will host at their recently redeveloped venues at Narrandjeri Stadium, Knox Regional Netball Centre and WORLD Sporting Precinct respectively. Central Victorian Netball Association will host their first Netball Victoria event as a recently merged association in Bendigo.
Each year, Netball Victoria selects venues and associations in Victoria that not only comply with safety and operational standards but have been fantastic ambassadors of the sport in their area.
The Association Championships provide more than 180 Victorian associations and leagues across the state the opportunity to compete in a crucial part of the Netball Victoria pathway, with talent identification opportunities for athletes in the 15 & Under, 17 & Under and Open age groups, and umpires at all tournament days across the state.
Megan Simpson, Netball Victoria general manager (high performance and pathways), said, “The strength of the Victorian netball pathway begins at Association Championships where the best netball talent in those regions is on show.
“The Association Championships are integral to the pathway and development of athletes and umpires with talent identification opportunities at each event. This allows Netball Victoria to grow a strong pool of talent in both disciplines.”
To participate in the Association Championships, athletes are selected in their association and league’s representative teams, while umpires are selected and nominated by their associations and leagues to Netball Victoria. In 2024, Netball Victoria invited talent identified umpires from the qualifying days to officiate at Finals Day. This initiative will continue in 2025 to continue to support the development of umpires within Victoria.
Learn more about Netball Victoria’s pathways at www.netballvic.com.au
