A surge in junior registrations has local clubs and organisations scrambling to meet demand, with over 500 new players joining teams in the past month alone.
3 min read
This week, the Bendigo Junior Football League saw a record number of teams compete in the under-12 division, with 25 teams from across the region taking to the field at the Queen Elizabeth Oval.
The growth in youth sport participation is a welcome trend for local clubs and organisations, who have been working tirelessly to promote the benefits of physical activity and teamwork to young people in the area. With the City of Greater Bendigo investing $1.2 million in sports infrastructure upgrades over the past year, including new facilities at the Bendigo Stadium and the Tom Flood Sports Centre, the stage is set for continued growth and development in the region's youth sport scene.
In Bendigo, clubs such as the Bendigo Pioneers, the Strathdale Community Sports Club, and the Kangaroo Flat Football Club are at the forefront of the push to get more young people involved in sport. The Pioneers, who are based at the Queen Elizabeth Oval, have seen a 25% increase in junior registrations over the past year, with over 200 new players joining the club. Meanwhile, the Strathdale Community Sports Club, which is located on Tannery Lane, has introduced a new program aimed at getting more girls involved in sport, with 50 new participants joining the club's under-10 girls' team.
According to data from the City of Greater Bendigo, the number of young people participating in organised sport in the region has increased by 15% over the past two years, with over 5,000 children aged between 5 and 18 now playing sport at least once a week. The cost of participating in sport can be a barrier for some families, with the average cost of junior football registration in Bendigo standing at $120 per season, although many clubs offer discounts and payment plans to help make sport more accessible.
As the season heats up, local clubs and organisations are urging parents and caregivers to get their children involved in sport. With programs such as the Australian Sports Commission's Active After-School Communities program, which is delivered in partnership with local schools and clubs, including the Bendigo South East College and the Golden Square Football Club, there are plenty of opportunities for young people to get involved and develop their skills. The program, which costs $60 per term, provides children with the chance to try a range of different sports and activities, from football and netball to tennis and basketball.
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Published by The Daily Bendigo
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