The Victorian Netball League is set to expand next year as part of changes to the competition.
Netball Victoria announced the new structure on Tuesday ahead of the next five-year licensing period for the competition, between 2024-2028.
Up to 12 licenses will be offered, up from the current 10, including up to three outside of metropolitan Melbourne in support of regional athletes, coaches and officials.
Currently the Geelong Cougars are the only team based outside Melbourne.
The new-look VNL will also reduce from three to two divisions, championship and 23 and under aligning with all other state league competitions in Australia.
The changes follow an extensive externally-led review including comprehensive engagement with current VNL clubs, regional athletes, coaches and umpires, analysis of competition data and a survey of internal and external VNL stakeholders.
New clubs will have the option of initially entering only a 23 and under team while they develop their pool of athletes and club structure.
They will be required to field teams in both divisions in the final two years of the licence period.
While the number of divisions will reduce, clubs will be allowed up to two development teams, competing in and bolstering feeder competitions, as part of their club pathway.
The minimum age for players will also increase from 15 to 16 years.
Vixens, performance and pathways general manager Megan Simpson said they were excited for what the new structure will bring.
“It’s important too that new clubs are given the opportunity to develop their underage athletes, especially in our regional areas, before committing to both grades,” she said.
“We think allowing new clubs to field an underage team initially is the ideal entry pathway as we look to build on the success of our competition and foster the game across metropolitan and regional Victoria.”
Netball Victoria chief executive Andrea Pearman said the changes will make the competition even stronger by focusing our resources and talent around two elite divisions.
Netball Victoria will open licence applications in March, with applications closing in May and licensees announced in July 2023.
All current teams must also re-apply for a license for 2024-28. City West Falcons, which won the championship and under-19 titles last season, are the only team currently based in Melbourne’s west.
