Bendigo Opens Youth Sports Registration for July Programs

Bendigo parents have until 20 July to lock in places for their children in the 2026 winter youth sports season, with early numbers showing 15 per cent more registrations than last year across the city.

The surge follows national attention on junior pathways after recent international results, including Australian tennis performances at Wimbledon and soccer matches in the World Cup buildup. Local clubs report that parents want clear steps on costs, venues and equipment before committing kids aged five to 17.

Where to sign up in Bendigo

Two main hubs handle most new registrations. The Bendigo Tennis Association runs its junior academy from courts on Hargreaves Street, with intake sessions every Tuesday and Thursday evening until the cutoff date. Soccer programs operate through the Bendigo Regional Football Club at the Epsom Recreation Reserve off Midland Highway, where coaches hold open trials on Saturday mornings. Both organisations accept online forms or in-person paperwork at their clubrooms.

Parents should bring proof of age and a Medicare number when enrolling. The tennis group limits groups to 12 players per coach, while the football club places new players by age bracket into under-8, under-10 and under-12 squads.

Costs, gear and first sessions

Fees start at $165 for the 12-week tennis term and $195 for soccer, which includes insurance and a basic training top. Additional costs cover boots or racquets, with local stores on View Street offering starter packs from $85. Data from the Bendigo Sports Council shows 2,780 children took part in organised youth sport last season, with the largest growth in girls' teams.

New players need only runners and a water bottle for the first week. Clubs supply balls and bibs during trials. After that, families receive a kit list covering mouthguards for contact sports and weather-appropriate layers for outdoor fields around Lake Weeroona.

Coaches advise arriving 15 minutes early for the opening session on 15 July to complete medical forms. Those who miss the July deadline can join mid-season waitlists or switch to the spring term that begins in October at the same venues.