Zanaiya Bergen died after a car crash on Thursday night. (Facebook: Eventide Homes Stawell)

VICTORIA: The Navarre Grasshoppers have won an emotional netball grand final in Victoria’s Wimmera region, just days after the death of one of their most talented young players in a car crash.

The Grasshoppers defeated the Carisbrook Redbacks 58-51 in the Maryborough Castlemaine District Netball League (MCDNL) A-grade grand final on Saturday, dedicating the victory to their teammate Zanaiya Bergen.

The 23-year-old died on Thursday evening after her car crashed into a tree following a training session.

Her sudden death had left the Navarre Football Netball Club facing an incredibly difficult decision over whether the team would take part in the grand final.

Navarre Players Honour Zanaiya Bergen

Bergen, affectionately known as “Zee,” had been enjoying an outstanding debut season with Navarre.

The goal shooter played 18 matches during the 2026 season and scored 664 goals. Her performances earned her a place among five Navarre players selected in the MCDNL Team of the Year.

Just days before her death, Bergen had helped Navarre produce a major upset by ending Avoca’s remarkable 69-game winning streak in the league’s preliminary final.

Despite the tragedy, Bergen’s teammates decided to play the grand final in her memory.

Her name remained on the official scoresheet, while a minute’s silence was observed before the match. Players also wore purple ribbons and black armbands as a tribute.

Emotional Grand Final Victory

A large crowd gathered at Princes Park in Maryborough to watch the highly anticipated A-grade decider.

The match was fiercely contested, but Navarre maintained its composure to secure a 58-51 victory over Carisbrook.

The final whistle triggered an emotional reaction from the players, with several Navarre teammates overcome by tears as they celebrated the premiership while remembering their late teammate.

The club’s victory was widely praised for the courage and determination shown by the players in extraordinarily difficult circumstances.

A premiership medal will also be presented to Zanaiya Bergen’s family.

Members of the Navarre Football Netball Club have been offered counselling following the tragedy.

Tributes Pour In for ‘Zee’

Bergen has been remembered by teammates, colleagues and members of her community as a funny, energetic, loyal and kind person.

Her contribution extended beyond the netball court. She worked for five and a half years as a personal aged-care worker at Eventide Homes in Stawell.

Her employer paid tribute to Bergen on social media, remembering her for the warmth, laughter, kindness and genuine connection she brought to the people she cared for.

“Zee leaves behind an enormous hole in our workplace and, most importantly, in the hearts of the residents and people she cared for so deeply,” the tribute said.

The Navarre Grasshoppers’ grand final victory has now become a lasting tribute to a young player whose season had promised so much before her life was tragically cut short.