Vixens to seize pre-season opportunity in Ballarat

THREE’S a charm for Melbourne Vixens, who will return to Ballarat in February for the third straight year of the Ballarat Blitz.

The two-day netball extravaganza, at Selkirk Stadium, will see last year’s top four Suncorp Super Netball teams go head-to-head in a blockbuster weekend of pre-season action on 21-22 February.

In a rematch of last year’s grand final epic, the Vixens will take on West Coast Fever at 5.15pm on Saturday, before a 1.15pm Sunday clash against Adelaide Lightning.

Saturday will kick off with a showdown between the Lightning and NSW Swifts, with Swifts to back up against the Fever on Sunday.

The Thunderbirds claimed the bragging rights last year, emerging with a perfect two wins from two games.

A four-goal win over GIANTS on Saturday was followed by a 60-56 victory on Sunday over the Vixens, who came up short in both games played, including a four-goal loss to Fever.

GIANTS rebounded from their day one loss to overcome Fever 71-66.

Following two highly successful events in 2024 and ’25, the Ballarat Blitz will once again be delivered in partnership with the City of Ballarat and the State Government’s Significant Sporting Events Program.

Off the court, the event will also see Netball Victoria deliver community activities in the region including clinics and school visits, while umpiring and coaching development opportunities will provide local officials with the chance to learn from accredited experts.

In addition to the pre-season activity, the partnership will involve a showcase of Victorian Netball League matches to be played at Selkirk Stadium in June, giving local netballers the opportunity to watch the state’s exciting pre-elite and pathway talent up close.

Netball Victoria general manager high performance and pathways, Sharelle McMahon, said the Blitz shaped as a really important part of the team’s preparation for the 2026 season.

“We want to go back-to-back, and that starts with everything we do in pre-season so heading to Ballarat will be a great opportunity for us,” the Sport Australia hall of famer and Australian netball legend said.

“We’re really grateful to have the support of netball fans right across the state, and we can’t wait to test ourselves against quality opposition in front of brilliant Ballarat crowds again.”

The Vixens will launch their SSN championship defence on the road against the Queensland Firebirds in Brisbane on Sunday 15 March.

Netball Victoria CEO Andrea Pearman said the Vixens relished their visits to regional areas, with a trip to Bendigo also on the travel schedule this pre-season.

 

“Almost half of our netball participants in Victoria are regionally based, so we’re excited to continue partnering with the City of Ballarat and the Victorian government to bring more elite netball to regional Victoria in 2026,” she said.

“Our athletes love getting out into the community – particularly in Ballarat where the Vixens have so much support.

“These pre-season events are fantastic opportunities for us to bring the world’s best right to the doorstep of the next generation of Victorian netballers.”

City of Ballarat mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves is looking forward to having the Vixens back on Ballarat soil.

“The Ballarat Blitz has made a huge impact on Ballarat in its first two years and I’m sure the third will be bigger and better than ever before,” she said.

“In addition to the Blitz, we also look forward to further opportunities to host elite matches in Ballarat in 2026 as Netball Victoria continues to drive grassroots netball and community participation in Ballarat.”

For Ballarat Blitz tickets, visit Ticketek.

2026 BALLARAT BLITZ

Selkirk Stadium, Ballarat

Saturday 21 February:

* 3pm – NSW Swifts v Adelaide Thunderbirds

* 5.15pm – Melbourne Vixens v West Coast Fever

Sunday 22 February:

*11am – West Coast Fever v NSW Swifts

* 1.15pm – Melbourne Vixens v Adelaide ThunderbirdS