Melbourne to Host 2026 Marie Little Shield at Narrandjeri Stadium

Netball Australia has announced that Melbourne will play host to the 2026 Marie Little Shield, with the national tournament scheduled to take place at Thornbury’s Narrandjeri Stadium from 4–6 September 2026.

Delivered in partnership with Visit Victoria, the event marks a significant milestone in the competition’s history as it continues to expand its footprint across the Australian sporting calendar.

Named in honour of Marie Little OAM, the founder of Sport Inclusion Australia, the shield has provided female athletes with an intellectual disability the opportunity to compete at a national level since 2013.

The 2026 edition will see teams from every Australian state and territory compete in a high-intensity round-robin format to determine the national champions.

Emphasising that the event is “part of the fabric” of the sport, Netball Australia CEO, Stacey West, said: “The Marie Little Shield keeps building momentum and highlights how important it is to create meaningful opportunities for athletes of all abilities.”

“The skill and pride on display from these athletes each year is inspiring—it really captures how powerful sport can be when everyone feels they belong,” West said.

Defending the Title: New South Wales Aim for a “Three-Peat”

The competitive stakes for the 2026 tournament are historically high. New South Wales will arrive in Melbourne as the reigning back-to-back champions, having secured gold medals in both Brisbane (2024) and the 2025 championships. The 2026 event provides a critical platform for rival states to challenge the NSW dominance in a venue known for its community-centric elite facilities.

Strategic and Commercial Partnerships

The tournament is a key pillar of Netball Australia’s Diversity and Inclusion strategy, supported by major stakeholders:

• Victorian Government & Visit Victoria: Providing the regional infrastructure and tourism backing to host the three-day event.
• Confident Girls Foundation: Serving as a primary partner to ensure the tournament remains accessible and provides a pathway for vulnerable and underrepresented athletes.

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