New partnership to strengthen netball talent pathway

The former AFL Central Victoria Netball Academy team at a tournament in Maryborough during the 2025 season. Photo: AFL Central Victoria Netball Academy.

An exciting new partnership will aim to strengthen and better align the talent pathway for aspiring netballers across Central Victoria and the broader northern region.

The collaboration between AFL Central Victoria (AFLCV) and the Bendigo Academy of Sport (BAS) will oversee the future delivery of the former AFL Central Victoria Netball Academy pathway, connecting emerging athletes with a recognised Netball Victoria talent pathway and strengthening alignment with the region’s Victorian Netball League (VNL) team Bendigo Strikers.

BAS will expand its existing netball development offering for athletes aged 12 to 13, providing a clearer progression for talented young players across the region in what is being hailed as ‘an exciting step forward’.

The new model represents an evolution from AFL Central Victoria’s historic delivery of its Academy program, which has run for the past 10 years.

As regional operational functions progressively transition through the AFL Victoria Regional Administration Centre (RAC) project, AFL Central Victoria will move away from directly operating the Academy, while working closely with BAS to support a positive transition and preserve a strong regional netball development opportunity.

Bendigo Academy of Sport executive officer Dean Dixon said the partnership was an exciting step forward.

“The Bendigo Academy of Sport is very proud and honoured to be able to extend on the great work that AFLCV has done for the last 10 years,” he said.

“The development of these younger athletes is paramount to the success of the program and in Central Victoria.

“Together with our experienced coaching staff we aim to provide the pathway necessary for success”.

AFL Central Victoria regional manager Cam Tomlins said the collaboration represented an important opportunity for regional netball.

“We’re delighted to partner with the Bendigo Academy of Sport on the next evolution of the regional netball pathway,” he said.

“Most importantly, this creates greater alignment and a clear, recognised development pathway for aspiring athletes across Central Victoria and our broader northern catchment.”

Tomlins said a further announcement regarding the future of the former AFL Central Victoria Football Academy will also be made in due course.

More details regarding the 2027 BAS netball program, eligibility, and athlete opportunities will be announced shortly.