Vixens meet New Zealand rivals in pre-season tour match

THE Melbourne Vixens are coming back to Bendigo for a pre-season netball match next month.

The Bound 4 Bendigo clash, against Aotearoa New Zealand’s ANZ Premiership side Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, will take place at Red Energy Arena on 20 March.

Led by New Zealand Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Magic’s squad features five national representatives.

The Vixens have been regular pre-season visitors to the city in recent years.

Next month’s event will also feature a curtain-raiser between Bendigo Football Netball League clubs Sandhurst and Kangaroo Flat.

It is part of the Vixens’ 2025 regional tour, which goes to Ballarat for a two-day visit on 1 and 2 March, and will be delivered as part of a partnership between the City of Greater Bendigo and the State Government’s Significant Sporting Events Program.

Off the court, Netball Victoria will also deliver a series of community events including netball clinics and school visits.

Umpiring and coaching development activities will provide aspiring and established officials in the Bendigo region with the opportunity to learn from internationally experienced experts.

The Bendigo and Ballarat matches will play a key role in the Vixens’ preparation for Round 1 of Suncorp Super Netball, in which they will face the Adelaide Thunderbirds in a grand final rematch in Adelaide on Saturday 5 April.

Tickets for the Red Energy Arena match are available through Ticketek.

Bendigo mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said the City is “incredibly excited” that the Vixens are returning to the region.

“It is always a thrill to witness elite athletes in action, and this is a sensational opportunity for our future young stars to see their netball idols up close,” she said.

“Thank you to the Melbourne Vixens, Netball Victoria, Victorian Government and all the visiting teams for bringing the action and connecting with fans in central Victoria.

“We look forward to an electric atmosphere at Red Energy Arena.”

Netball Victoria CEO Andrea Pearman said the athletes love getting out into the community.

“These events are unrivalled opportunities for us to bring the best of our sport to the next generation of Victorian netball stars,” she said.

Ms Pearman said the Victorian team is looking forward to competing against quality opposition in front of packed crowds.