A couple of weeks ago when Netball Victoria revealed it would not be renewing Ballarat Pride's licence for the state league competition, there were concerns players from the region would be left without access to competition at higher levels.

An opinion piece published by The Standard calling for a defined pathway to elite competition and the suggestion the region should consider forming a club, like it did with South West Spirit, seems to have fallen on deaf ears with no feedback so far.

Despite the Ballarat Pride giving numerous players from the region a chance to showcase their talents at state level, it sounds like the idea is in the too hard basket.

Given the region's long and proud history of developing talent, let's hope the inactivity isn't regretted in the future.

The timing has never been better for the region to unite and with a bit of foresight, set up the south-west to further become a leader in the sport.

Netball is enjoying unprecedented media coverage, spectator and sponsor interest at the national level and locally the sport has a huge profile and the depth in talent has never been so great.

With the only competition to an elite netball club being basketball, with the Warrnambool Mermaids in recess this year the door is well and truly open.

What do you think, should the south-west have a state league club? Vote in our poll.