Tonight Pride has a crucial game to survive.

Pride must face an athletic and tall Bayside Stingers outfit at the State Netball and Hockey Centre.

Mental toughness and composure will be tested for the Pride, with players entering the match after big wins in the past two rounds against league powerhouse DC Force and finals aspirants Geelong Flyers in Netball Victoria's state league division one.

Not to mention the club being granted a pass for the next season's new Victorian Netball League.

Ballarat Pride coach Jo Dash was thrilled with the supportive response from the Ballarat and Western Victoria sporting communities.

But now her team has to get back to business.

"We must juggle the excitement of the future and remember that we are still playing to keep a spot in the finals of the existing state league structure," Dash said.

"This is the end of an era and we want to go down in history for being the best in our division."

Pride sits two games clear in second spot, and must be on its game against the Stingers who are fighting to stay in the top four.

A tight match is guaranteed when the two clubs clash.

The Stingers are playing strong and aggressive netball and will punish an opponent heavily with any intercepts.

Pride has been troubled by this style before but its players have proven they can turn a match around in minutes by slowing the ball down and seizing control of play.

Goaling accuracy will be critical.

Pride will be relying on its depth for strength again this week.

Shooter Sue Nalder is expected to line up, despite recovering from a bout of the flu leading into the match, while defender Kate Schippers has been monitored with a niggling back injury.

Pride wants to prove it is worthy of its VNL licence and the hard work starts tonight.