University of Queensland Extends Partnership with Netball Queensland

The University of Queensland (UQ) has reinforced its long-term commitment to female sport and education, renewing its Premier Partnership with Netball Queensland and the Queensland Firebirds for a further three years.

The extension ensures that by the conclusion of the new term in 2028, the collaboration will have spanned 13 years, making it one of the most enduring alliances in Australian netball.

The deal focuses on high-performance research, grassroots engagement, and the continuation of the UQ Firebirds Scholarship program, which provides four annual scholarships to Year 12 students to bridge the gap between elite sport and academic ambition.

Commenting on the partnership extension, University of Queensland vice-chancellor, professor Deborah Terry, said: “This work represents a shared commitment to creating genuine pathways to tertiary education for young Queenslanders.”

“We strongly encourage students from all backgrounds, particularly regional, remote, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, to apply,” Terry said.

Regional Engagement and the Vicki Wilson Championship

A central pillar of the renewed agreement is a heightened focus on regional Queensland. UQ will activate a dedicated competition within the Vicki Wilson Championship, the state’s premier secondary school netball tournament. The preliminary rounds are scheduled to run from April to June 2026, culminating in the Finals Series at Nissan Arena on 6–7 August.

Commercial and Operational Stability

The renewal comes at a vital time for Netball Queensland as it rolls out its 2026-2028 Plan, themed ‘Go for Growth’. Under the leadership of CEO Kate Davies, the organisation has reported a 9.8% surge in unique participation rates.

The University of Queensland partnership provides the commercial stability required to maintain Nissan Arena as a premier multi-sport hub while supporting the Firebirds through the 2026 Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) season, which kicks off at home against the Melbourne Vixens on 15 March.

“The UQ Firebirds Scholarship program has created life-changing opportunities, particularly for students from regional and remote areas,”

“This partnership extension to 2028 demonstrates our shared commitment to opening doors beyond the court,” Davies closed. 

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