Mundy felt it sent the message that the VNL only catered for metropolitan clubs and the decision restricts regional clubs’ ability to grow their brand.

That number is down on the two games it had last season, Mundy was hopeful that number would grow, or at the very least plateau. However, it’s round 12 clash with Geelong will be only chance Ballarat supporters will get to watch its VNL team.

Netball Victoria told The Courier the decision was made off the back of the Commonwealth Games and the flow-on effect that has on the Australian Netball League and overlap/availability of courts at the State Netball and Hockey Centre.

While Mundy understands the difficulty of scheduling around such a major event, it is a severe blow to his club’s bid to grow the Sovereigns in Ballarat.

"It just doesn't send the right message when you reduce the number of home games for regional clubs who just can't develop a supporter base when you have all the games in a metropolitan area,” Mundy said.

"I clearly understand that Netball Victoria has to accommodate the Commonwealth Games and the national competitions, however, restricting regional clubs to one home game certainly doesn't allow us in any way, shape or form, to develop a support base.

"It continually places additional pressure on us and ultimately sends a message that the competition isn't about regional clubs, it's about metropolitan clubs.”

Mundy said while the fixture news was far from ideal, he maintained his want for at least three or four home games and even posed the possibility of one day holding something close to a pure home and away fixture, which would see the Sovereigns host upward of eight home games in the 18-round season. 

"In order to really build momentum and build support, which we have done with two games - imagine the momentum and support we could build if we had three or four games, or if we had five or six.

"It's an 18 game season, if we were to even move towards a true home and away season over a number of years - that would be wonderful. But to simply get more than one in 2019 would be a big step.”

Mundy said the positive news for the Sovereigns was the developments being made to the Wendouree Sports and Events Centre.

"The positive aspect for us is there is a new stadium being built and 2019 is another year and we hope with a new stadium there will be opportunity for us to hold more than a single home game, or more than two home games, will eventuate for us.”

Netball Victoria Competitions Coordinator Alex Ball told The Courier this was unavoidable due to the heavy schedule, but stressed it had the intention to grow the game in its regional areas.

“It’s not going to be like this every season...other years we’ll be able to have them more often,” Ball said.

“They’re not the only club to say that, it’s just unfortunate timing this year.”