Nelson Bay Netball Association will be looking to go one better this year after its under-12 side came runners up to Forbes in division three at the 2016 championship.

Teams from Port Stephens Netball Association, based in Raymond Terrace, will also be looking for a win.

Last year its under-12 team finished 10^th, the under-14 and 15 teams placed in the top 20 while the under-13s came 21^st.

The 2017 championships will be held between July 1 and July 3.

Nelson Bay will field three teams this year.

Its under-14 and 15 sides will contest division three; under-12s will compete in division four.

Raymond Terrace will also field three.

Under-12s will be accompanied by coach Laura Nolan and manager Julie Nolan; under-13 by coach Taylah Whitty and manager Kyah Denham; under-14 by coach Ellen Maytom and manager Kristen Swan.

Four national badged umpires from Port Stephens Netball Association will lend their experience at the championships: Sue Coulter, Shelly Sinclair, Dannielle Tranter and Emma Rumbel.

More than 3300 athletes from 306 teams representing 85 associations will take the courts for the 49^th instalment of the championships.

The championships will be held across three venues: Penrith District Netball Association (for the championship division), Liverpool City Netball Association (division two), and Campbelltown District Netball Association (divisions three and four).

Along with the thousands of players taking part, there will also be hundreds of coaches, umpires and officials who will be joined by tens of thousands of spectators, making the state age championships the biggest female sports tournament in Australia. 

With four divisions of four age groups – 12s to 15s – the event will showcase potential future stars of Australia’s largest female participation sport.