Navarre Grasshoppers Win Emotional Grand Final in Tribute to Zanaiya Bergen

The Navarre Grasshoppers have achieved a remarkable victory in a heart-wrenching scenario that no sports team should ever have to endure. The team, still reeling from the sudden loss of one of their most talented young players, 23-year-old Zanaiya Bergen, who died in a car accident on Thursday evening, showed incredible resilience to secure a win in the Maryborough Castlemaine District Netball League (MCDNL) grand final.

A Tribute to Zanaiya Bergen

Zanaiya Bergen, affectionately known as Zee, had played 18 games for the Navarre Grasshoppers, scoring 664 goals across the 2026 season. She was one of five Navarre players named in the team of the year and had previously featured in A-grade matches for Stawell in the Wimmera Football Netball League, and Rupanyup in the Horsham District Football Netball League.

Her unexpected death cast doubt on whether her team would even play on Saturday. However, with the support of the MCDNL, the Navarre Football Netball Club decided to proceed with the game.

"Whatever they decided, we would fully support them with what they wanted to do," MCDNL netball coordinator Katrina 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."

A Emotional Tribute

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.

The Navarre Grasshoppers were determined 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.

"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," Zanaiya's employer posted in a social media tribute. "We will miss her more than words can express and will forever be grateful that she was part of our Eventide family."

A Lasting Legacy

Members of the Navarre Football Netball Club have been offered counselling. A premiership medal will go to Zanaiya's family. 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.