Royal Australian Air Force netball has started 2026 with a clear target after the men’s team claimed back-to-back interservice championships at the Australian Defence Force Netball Association (ADFNA) Combined Services Carnival in 2024 and 2025.

The 2025 title confirmed the previous year’s breakthrough was no one-off. The carnival is played in a round-robin format against Navy and Army, and the men’s team followed its first championship with a stronger campaign to retain the trophy.

The run of results came in a milestone year for the Royal Australian Air Force Netball Association (RAAFNA). 

In 2025, the association marked 10 years since it became an official body through the Air Force Sports Council.

Squadron Leader Patrick Cochrane, RAAFNA President and men’s captain, said the results came from building depth and planning beyond a single season.

'When new players come in they’re pushing for spots, and the experienced players set the tone. RAAF netball is now more competitive than ever and our selections and results show that.'

“We needed the right mix of experience and new talent, and we needed to keep that mix moving forward,” Squadron Leader Cochrane said.

“We built the team with a succession plan in mind, so the standard stays high and the next group is ready.”

Squadron Leader Cochrane recently presented the men’s interservice trophy to Air Vice Marshal Wendy Blyth, the most senior RAAF netballer and the ADFNA patron, recognising both the title and the program behind it.

RAAFNA Secretary Corporal Travis Boyd, who also plays in the men’s team, said the group’s progress came from consistency and accountability.

“The biggest change has been our standards we set for ourselves. We train with purpose and we prepare properly, because everyone knows the competition is getting tougher,” Corporal Boyd said.

“When new players come in they’re pushing for spots, and the experienced players set the tone. RAAF netball is now more competitive than ever and our selections and results show that.”

RAAFNA’s progress has also been reflected across other teams. At the 2025 ADFNA carnival, the women’s and mixed teams finished runners-up in their respective round-robin competitions, the best combined outcomes for RAAFNA since official recognition.

In 2026, Air Force players have continued to test themselves in representative environments, with strong RAAF representation in the ADF mixed team at the Australian Men’s and Mixed Netball Carnival, where about a third of the squad was drawn from Air Force.

Squadron Leader Cochrane said involvement in ADF representative teams and civilian competitions was lifting the standard across the program.

“When our people play in ADF rep teams and civilian comps, they’re exposed to different styles, faster tempo and higher-pressure moments,” Squadron Leader Cochrane said.

“They bring that learning back into the squad, and it lifts the standard for everyone.” 

Next, ADF netball will be on show at the NSW State Championships in June, with four ADF representative teams attending and around half the squad expected to be RAAF. 

The teams will compete against club sides from across NSW in the women’s and men’s competitions.

RAAF netball now enters the next phase with momentum and a clear challenge. The men are chasing a three-peat, while the women’s and mixed teams aim to turn second place finishes into titles.