Netball Victoria yesterday unveiled licensees for its restructured state league competition, which will begin next year.

Just 10 licences were up for grabs in the incoming VNL while 18 clubs are playing under the existing format.

Success has ensured Ballarat Pride's survival in the elite competition until 2011.

Ballarat Netball Association president and Pride coach Jo Dash was informed of Pride's success via email yesterday lunchtime.

It was an anxious weekend's wait for Pride and the BNA after the association was told on Friday when the decision would be announced.

When word arrived, Dash took a huge sigh of relief before frantically messaging her players, support staff and committee.

And so began a new era in Ballarat netball.

"This is one of the biggest things to happen in Victorian netball," Dash said.

"It is absolutely fantastic to get through and now begins the next challenge, the next chapter of hard work, to get our teams up and running.

"We can do it.

"This is going to be a brand new start and step up, not just for our players but for umpires, coaches and the demands in administration.

"Every netball person could be involved if they wanted to."

Licensees must each field three teams in the VNL: championship division, division one and youth 19-under.

This has positioned Pride as a key base for elite players in the Hampden, Wimmera and Bendigo corridors, many who are already travelling to Melbourne for a game.

Importantly, success has kept open a pathway to elite competition for the Ballarat and Central Highland regions' netballers.

Ballarat Pride joined Netball Victoria state league competition in 1995 and climbed up the ranks to claim its first premiership, a division two flag, four seasons later.

Pride broke into division one in 2001, with a season relegation in 2003, and has been a top contender in the grade the past five seasons - twice finishing runner-up and challenging for championship division in 2006.

In the past Pride has moulded players for championship division , including captain Emma Farrell and Melbourne Vixen defender Johannah Curran.

Dash said a three-team structure will open new avenues for talented players, especially the region's juniors.

"Our 19-unders will be incredibly strong and exposing them to state league against other elite juniors will only make stepping up into division one and championship division easier and less dramatic," Dash said.

"What we have had is one team which has been a really close-knit group.

"The challenge will now be in making that same feeling of belonging over our three teams."

Netball Victoria will host an information session for all successful licensees on August 3 and association's have been asked not to start planning for the season until that date.

Licensees have three seasons to consolidate in the VNL before reapplying.