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Our History
Melbourne University Lightning was established in 2008
We have a proud and rich history
Since 2008, the club (now as Melbourne University Lightning) has provided elite netball opportunities for its athletes, coaches, administrators, support staff and volunteers.
The Lightning program is proud to have been the home of many Super Netball (SN) athletes, including: Shannon Eagland (West Coast Fever, Sunshine Coast Lightning), Elle Bennetts (NSW Swifts), Kelsie Rainbow (Collingwood Magpies TP), Gabby Sinclair (Collingwood Magpies, Sunshine Coast Lightning), Fiona Themann (Adelaide Thunderbirds, Collingwood Magpies), Shae Brown (West Coast Fever, Collingwood Magpies), Jordan Cransberg (West Coast Fever, NSW Swifts), Zoe Cransberg (West Coast Fever), Gabby Coffey (Collingwood Magpies, Melbourne Vixens), Maggie Caris (Melbourne Vixens, Sunshine Coast Lightning).
Our athletes have also been standouts in Super Netball Reserves with the Melbourne Vixens and Melbourne Mavericks, and teams before them across the Australian Netball League and Championship. Director of Netball, Tegan Hopkins, has also guided the Vixens (SN Reserves) as Assistant Coach in 2026 and 2027.
Our history really takes shape in 2007, when Netball Victoria announced their intention to introduce a new and stronger state level of netball - the Victorian Netball League (VNL). Existing State League Clubs, VU Flames and Altona Lightning seized the opportunity to apply for a VNL licence and forged a mutually beneficial alliance, and re-branded as VU Western Lightning Netball Club to compete in the inaugural season.
Victoria University played an important role in supporting the club through the formative years of participation in the VNL, with both parties enjoying a mutually beneficial and successful relationship. The six-year partnership ceased at the completion of the 2014 VNL season when the club aligned with The University of Melbourne, its Principal and Naming Rights Partner. The club re-branded, became known as Melbourne University Lightning, and relocated its home base to the University’s Parkville campus.
Partnering with The University of Melbourne was an important milestone. The partnership provides the club with a centrally located home base, and additional resources to assist and strengthen on and off-court operations.
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