Navarre Grasshoppers win grand final in tribute to deceased player Zanaiya Bergen

The Navarre Grasshoppers have triumphed in a scenario no sporting team should ever have to face.

One of their most talented young players, 23-year-old Zanaiya Bergen, died on Thursday evening when her car hit a tree after training.

She and her teammates were on the verge of making history, after snapping Avoca's 69-game winning streak in a thrilling Maryborough Castlemaine District Netball League (MCDNL) preliminary final just days earlier.

In what was Zanaiya's debut season in the MCDNL, the goal shooter was one of five Navarre players named in the team of the year.

Her unexpected death cast doubt on whether her team would even play on Saturday.

Do it for Zee

Zanaiya, or Zee as she was affectionately known, had played 18 games for her new club, scoring 664 goals across the 2026 season.

She had previously featured in A-grade matches for Stawell in the Wimmera Football Netball League, and Rupanyup in the Horsham District Football Netball League.

MCDNL netball coordinator Katrina Turner said the league had spent most of Friday speaking with the Navarre Football Netball Club about whether the finals would go ahead.

"Whatever they decided, we would fully support them with what they wanted to do," Ms Turner said.

"When they called and said they wanted to play, I called their opponents in the A-grade and C-grade to let them know."

Zanaiya's name remained on the scoresheet for Saturday's grand final, and a minute's silence was held at the start of the game.

Purple ribbons and black arm bands were worn to mark the tragedy.

As the day went on, a significant crowd surrounded the Princes Park netball court at Maryborough to witness an A-grade match which was tense, competitive, and above all, highly emotive.

Zanaiya's teammates were doing all they could to win in honour of their teammate.

Emotion overcame some players as the game neared its end, and despite the heartbreaking circumstances, as the final whistle was blown the Navarre Grasshoppers came away with the win, 58-51.

Video of the match showed some players overwhelmed with tears the moment the game finished.

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

A premiership medal will go to Zanaiya's family.

Tributes far and wide

Zanaiya has been remembered as a funny, energetic, loyal and kind person.

Outside of her netball accolades, she spent five and a half years as a personal aged care worker at Eventide Homes in Stawell.

Her employer posted a social media tribute, which said Zanaiya brought warmth, laughter, kindness and genuine connection to every interaction.

"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 post read.

"We will miss her more than words can express and will forever be grateful that she was part of our Eventide family."