From 6 Teams to 40: National School Netball Challenge Highlights Growth in School Sport

A national school netball competition that began with just six teams in one division has grown to 40 teams across four divisions in 2026, with schools from all six Australian states represented at this year’s event.

The 2026 National All Schools Netball Challenge begins on the Gold Coast on Monday 31 August, bringing together secondary school students from Government, Catholic and Independent schools for three days of competition at the Coomera Indoor Sports Centre.

Schools in Action established the Challenge to create opportunities for students to experience national school sport, regardless of the education sector in which their school operates. The competition provides a platform where Government, Catholic and Independent schools can compete alongside one another, allowing students to test themselves against schools and netball programs they may not ordinarily have the opportunity to play.

The growth from six teams in 2023 to 40 teams in 2026, alongside representation from every Australian state, reflects the development of the Challenge and the continued interest from schools in national sporting opportunities for their students.

The 2026 competition will feature Junior and Intermediate age groups, with High Performance and Development divisions providing opportunities for schools and players competing at different levels. Teams will progress through round-robin competition before moving into the finals stages.

While competition and performance are central to the Challenge, Schools in Action aims to create an experience that extends beyond the result on the scoreboard.

Students have the opportunity to travel and compete against schools from other parts of Australia, meet new people and build connections through their shared experience of school sport. For many students, representing their school at a national event is an opportunity to develop confidence, resilience, teamwork and a greater sense of belonging to their school community.

Learning Beyond the Court

Education is also an important component of the National All Schools Netball Challenge.

Each year, Schools in Action includes an Education Program designed to give students an opportunity to learn from people with experiences beyond their own sporting journey.

In 2026, participants will hear from a special guest from the world of Australian and international netball, sharing their experiences of competing at the highest levels of the sport.

The session will focus on the experiences behind elite sporting success and provide students with an opportunity to explore themes including commitment, perseverance, resilience and pursuing goals in sport.

The inclusion of an Education Program reflects the broader purpose of the Challenge—to provide students with experiences that can contribute to their development both as athletes and young people.

Connecting School Communities Across Australia

The national reach of the Challenge will also extend beyond those able to attend the Gold Coast.

Matches will be livestreamed throughout the competition, allowing families, friends, school communities and supporters across Australia to follow the event online through the Schools in Action website.

For schools travelling from interstate, the livestream provides another way for their wider school communities to be part of the experience, while also showcasing school netball to a broader audience.

The 2026 Challenge will conclude on Wednesday 2 September with the finals, bringing together the leading teams from each division to compete for the national titles.

From six teams in one division to 40 teams across four divisions, and now with schools represented from every Australian state, the growth of the National All Schools Netball Challenge demonstrates what can be achieved when opportunities are created for students from different schools, sectors and communities to come together through sport.

The 2026 National All Schools Netball Challenge will be held from 31 August to 2 September 2026 at the Coomera Indoor Sports Centre on the Gold Coast.

The finals will be held on Wednesday 2 September, with spectators welcome to attend and the competition also available to follow via the Schools in Action livestream.