Victorian Netball League names new clubs for 2024
THREE new Victorian Netball League (VNL) clubs will enter the 2024 competition, with two regional and one metropolitan-based club entering Victoria’s premier netball competition. The expansion was announced today as part of exciting changes set to help grow the game across the state.
Two of the three clubs – Bendigo Strikers and Western Warriors – will join the Championship division in 2024, with the third club – Gippsland Stars – initially fielding a 23 & Under side, before entering the Championship division in 2027. Both the Strikers and Stars will join Geelong Cougars in representing regional Victoria, while the Warriors are based in Melbourne and represent the booming north-west population.
The three new clubs are based in parts of the state identified in Netball Victoria’s broader growth strategy. They will help build the profile and reputation of our sport, while making the competition more accessible and creating additional opportunities for emerging talent.
With the overall strength and depth of applications, unfortunately current VNL club Ariels were unsuccessful in renewing their licence.
As the VNL expands from 10 to 12 clubs, next year’s new-look competition will reduce from three to two divisions – Championship and 23 & Under – aligning with other State League competitions in Australia. Clubs will be allowed up to two development teams, competing in and bolstering feeder competitions, as part of their club pathway.
Netball Victoria Chief Executive Officer Andrea Pearman said it was a great announcement for netball in the state.
“We are excited to welcome three new clubs to the Victorian Netball League following a highly competitive application process,” Pearman said.
“The inclusion of these clubs will ensure more athletes, coaches and officials from regional Victoria and north-western Melbourne are represented in our premier competition and showcase the exceptional talent and passion for netball in those regions.
“We thank all the applicants for their commitment to the licensing process, which was reflected in the high quality of applications received and which gives us great confidence in the passion and capability of our Victorian netball community.”
2024 VICTORIAN NETBALL LEAGUE CLUBS
CHAMPIONSHIP:
Bendigo Strikers
Boroondara Express
Casey Demons
City West Falcons
Geelong Cougars
Hawks Netball
Melbourne University Lightning
North East Blaze
Peninsula Waves
Western Warriors
Southern Saints
23 & UNDER:
Bendigo Strikers
Boroondara Express
Casey Demons
City West Falcons
Geelong Cougars
Gippsland Stars
Hawks Netball
Melbourne University Lightning
North East Blaze
Peninsula Waves
Western Warriors
Southern Saints
PREVIEW | VNL Round 9 2024: Almost all return home
AFTER a round where most clubs were on the road, this week’s VNL action sees most clubs back at the State Netball Centre. The match of the round is undoubtedly the first one tonight, which will see the Blaze take on the Express. These are the two undefeated sides left in the competition, and with […]
Results on both ends of the scale in mixed round
THE City West Falcons have continued on their winning ways, this time downing the Melbourne Uni Lightning by 17 goals. Melbourne Uni did get the better start to the match, but ultimately the Falcons showed their class and proved far too strong for their opponents. The Falcons were the ones to break centre pass first, […]
PREVIEW | VNL Round 8 2024: Time for a road trip
ROUND 8 of the Victorian Netball League sees the competition spread out, in both venue use and days in which the games are played. There are only two fixtures slated for the State Netball Centre tonight, with the rest set to take place in various venues over the weekend. Tonight’s first clash is between the […]
Bendigo Strike down Warriors to get back on winners list
THE Bendigo Strikers have won their second match of the VNL after defeating fellow new side the Western Warriors 60 goals to 45. A quick start to the game set up the win for the Strikers, who just kept building on their lead as the game progressed and fended off everything the Warriors threw at […]
PREVIEW | VNL Round 7 2024: Top teams lock horns
OFF the back of an exciting National Netball Championships, the VNL returns to the spotlight tonight. The round’s opening match looms as a one-sided affair, as the Peninsula Waves take on City West Falcons. On one hand, the Waves have found the going tough all season, meanwhile the reigning champions are in a good run […]
Two of these results are not like the others
THERE was an overarching theme across most of the games in the VNL last night – tight results. One of the results that was not though was the match between the Blaze and Waves, which saw the Blaze comfortably come away 18-goal winners. Despite the eventual scoreline, things were tight early. Proceedings went pretty much […]
PREVIEW | VNL Round 6 – Waves look to soak Blaze
AS the VNL hits the one quarter mark of the season, there is still plenty of intrigue and excitement in it as much as there was day one. The first match on the calendar tonight may be a one-sided affair though, with the Blaze taking on the Waves. The Blaze are sitting pretty comfortably in […]
Wide margins the order of the night in VNL
ROUND 5 of the VNL was history making, but also statement making. One of those who made a statement was the Boroondara Express, who came away with a big 18 goal win over the Southern Saints. It was a tight affair early, with not much of a buffer between the sides. However, despite the height […]
PREVIEW | VNL Round 5 – Sides seek breakthrough wins
AS the second month of the 2024 VNL season commences, the potentially season defining matches just keep on coming. After coming so close to an inaugural win last week, the Bendigo Strikers might finally break through for it tonight. They face a winless Peninsula Waves side, so this might be the Strikers’ best chance for […]
