Kyneton Netball Association has started its 2026 season with a record number of players.
President Dean Backman said 130 players have signed on including the Net-Set-Go program and for first time they have five boys joining the U11s.
“With the Melbourne Vixens last year winning the premiership, it’s really put netball in the spotlight,” he said.
It may be the ‘Vixens effect’ drawing new players to the sport but Dean is sure its a strong sense of team and community that encourages them to stay.
“It’s great that we’re have a lot of growth in girls sports locally. The start of the 2026 season has been really exciting and we’re doing a lot to build a strong and supportive culture,” he said.
“I’m a massive believer that sport teaches kids lessons they can take into the real world and experiences that they’ll hopefully remember, for a long time to come.”
Dean is new to the role of president, following a successful year of coaching set to continue. His wife and four daughters are all active members of the club.
This year the club has two families of four daughters all playing in the Young and Backman families, as well as at least three families with three daughters playing in the Bloomfield, Garrigan and Stephenson families.
The club runs a Net-Set-Go program for the youngest beginners to learn the rules of the game and competition teams in U9, U11, U13 and U16.
Players range from age five to 17, across seven different schools, and many of the older teens also play in Kyneton Football Netball Club’s competition.
The club is backed by many dedicated volunteers, including four young women coaching teams: year nine student Milla, year 12 student Matilda, Charlie and Jessica.
Dean said the club has had a good off season and is positioned for a strong year.
“We’re coming off a season last year where we had six teams make finals grand finals and three of the teams won the grand finals,” he said.
“We’ve had some great support from the local business community and the club will support them in return.”
Players have just received new uniforms and the club aims to create more team-building events and to grow involvement with the broader community.
The club has made strong connections with the local business community and has secured sponsorship support for the new season.
