Melbourne Vixens headline new pre-season tournament coming to Ballarat

Some of the world’s best netballers will play in Ballarat next year as part of an exciting new pre-season tournament. Here’s what we know.

Some of the world’s best netballers will come to Ballarat next year for a tournament ahead of the new Suncorp Super Netball season.

The Melbourne Vixens and other Suncorp Super Netball teams are coming to the region for the Ballarat Blitz, which will be held from March 15 to 17.

Four Super Netball teams, including the Vixens, will be involved in two matches on each day of the competition on Saturday and Sunday.

The Vixens are locked in to play two matches with a Victoria Men’s League match to also happen during the Blitz.

The team will be hoping to rise higher up the ladder next year after finishing fourth last season.

Melbourne Vixen players console each other after losing last year’s Super Netball semi-final match against the West Coast Fever. Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images.

There will also be plenty of activities for the Ballarat community to get involved with, including a clinic for umpires and coaches.

“We know how passionate our netball community is across regional Victoria, and we’re excited to be partnering with the City of Ballarat and the Victorian Government to bring elite netball to Ballarat in 2024,” Netball Victoria chief executive Andrea Pearman said.

“This event will be a great opportunity introduce our new Melbourne Vixens line-up to fans across the state, enable our athletes to engage with our Victorian netball community, and compete against quality opposition in front of a packed Selkirk Stadium.”

The event is being supported by both the Victorian Government and the City of Ballarat council.

“We are delighted to welcome the Melbourne Vixens and their Suncorp Super Netball rivals in March,” City of Ballarat mayor Des Hudson said.

“Not only will it see thousands of fans flock to Ballarat, benefiting our accommodation, hospitality and retail sectors, but it will give the region’s youngsters the opportunity to meet some of their national netball heroes and provide plenty of inspiration.”

Tickets and more information about the Blitz is expected to be released next month.