Friendly family rivalry meets important health messaging at a unique sporting day headed to Naarm later this month.

The Family Mixed Netball Carnival, brought by Indigenous anti-smoking and vaping campaign The Koori Way, has 35 teams registered to take the court at the State Hockey and Netball Centre on Sunday, February 22.

It promises the biggest-ever turnout for the event, first hosted in 2019.

Tindarra Hood is no stranger to what he said is a unique and fun opportunity to get out for a run around.

"I've played local football and basketball with my brother boys, cousins, extended family members and uncles, but I hadn't really had a chance to play with the aunties or younger female cousins," he told National Indigenous Times.

"It sort of feels like you're playing a bit of backyard footy or basketball, which is cool because you get back down to that local, family, wholesome environment, and you're bringing it into competing with other family members from around the whole state."

Now an organiser, Hood said registrations have come in from all across the state. Sides from Shepparton, Bendigo, Ballarat and other areas will be there, while some individuals make the trek to link up with family at the carnival.

Local community connections also come together to make up teams.

At least one player over the age of 35, and at least one male and female each aged 13-17 are required to fit the criteria to compete for bragging rights.

Uniforms are provided for free by The Koori Way.

In previous years, some state representative netballers, both male and female, have taken the court at the carnival.

For the past two years, a similar event has take place in Lakes Entrance on Gunaikurnai Country in Gippsland.

Aside from netball, the gathering is about spreading and engaging with an important health message.

"We know that 37 per cent of all First Nations deaths are caused by smoking, and that the risk remains for the younger generations with the rise of vaping," Victorian Aboriginal Preventative Health Unit manager Lionel Austin said.

"This is why The Koori Way has been proactive in getting our message out to Communities across Victoria, with initiatives such as our award-winning Flip The Vape campaign, and events like the Family Mixed Netball Carnival."

VAHS's The Koori Way is a state-wide health promotion campaign co-deigned and delivered by multiple Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations across Victoria.

When thinking about Aboriginal young people, fear-based health messaging is fatigued, Austin added, "so combining our preventative health services with something like the Family Mixed Netball Carnival, means people who come here to engage with sport, Community or family are exposed to our message".

Austin said seeing registrations reach capacity with 35 sides signed up is a credit to seeing community engaged in health services.

On the day, a bouncing castle and reptile petting zoo will be there as part of activities for younger kids not yet old enough to play.

Indigenous business stalls will also be there.

"That's good thing about these events. You're not just bringing family together for a fun day, you're actually promoting health and positive choices and being active," Tindarra Hood said.