Bendigo Spirit and Victorian Government Partner to Expand WNBL Across Regional Victoria

Sports Entertainment Network (SEN), through its WNBL team Bendigo Spirit, has announced a new partnership with the Victorian Government to deliver a series of elite women’s basketball matches and community engagement events across regional Victoria.

Supported by the Sporting Events Program, the multi-season agreement will see the Bendigo Spirit take WNBL competition and development programs to key regional centres throughout the 2025–26 and 2026–27 seasons. Host cities include Traralgon, Ballarat and Geelong, with the initiative building on pre-season fixtures and clinics already delivered in Warrnambool and Shepparton.

The program aims to increase basketball participation, showcase women’s sport, and strengthen community connection across regional hubs, while promoting regional Victoria as a destination for sport-based tourism.

SEN CEO, Craig Hutchison, said the initiative represents a meaningful investment in both women’s sport and regional communities.

“This partnership is a game-changer for women’s sport and regional communities.” 

“We’re proud to work with the Victorian Government to bring elite basketball to new audiences, tell the stories of our incredible athletes, and inspire the next generation of players and fans across the state,” Hutchison said.

Minister for Tourism, sport and major events, Steve Dimopoulos, said the partnership supports both sporting and economic outcomes.

“Thanks to the Significant Sporting Events Program, people all over regional Victoria will have the chance to enjoy elite basketball.” 

“Showcasing women’s basketball and beautiful parts of our state means backing the future of women’s sports in Victoria, while also backing local tourism, jobs and local businesses,” Dimopoulos added.

As part of the partnership, Bendigo Spirit will also roll out a comprehensive community engagement program in each host city, including open training sessions, school and club visits, coaching clinics, junior development opportunities, and business networking events.

Five regular-season fixtures will be played outside Bendigo during the 2025–26 campaign, including:

• Traralgon: Round 6 – Bendigo Spirit v Perth Lynx (23 November)
• Ballarat: Round 8 – Bendigo Spirit v Geelong Venom (5 December)
• Geelong: Round 9 – Geelong Venom v Bendigo Spirit (13 December)
• Ballarat: Round 13 – Bendigo Spirit v Southside Flyers (9 January)
• Geelong: Round 13 – Geelong Venom v Bendigo Spirit (30 January)

Each event will be broadcast nationally via 9Now, ESPN and Disney+, with SEN’s production arm, Rainmaker, providing additional behind-the-scenes and feature content to amplify the reach and profile of the program.

The partnership underscores an increasingly strategic approach to women’s elite sport in Australia — expanding access, strengthening regional engagement, and investing in long-term pathways for growth.

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