Bendigo clubs thrive and strengthen community bonds

Bendigo clubs recorded a 28 percent rise in junior registrations across soccer and netball codes by the end of June 2026 compared with the same period last year.

The increase arrives as global tournaments draw fresh attention to the sports, prompting families in Bendigo to seek out nearby teams rather than travel to Melbourne for weekend fixtures. Clubs have responded by extending training hours and adding family sessions that pair matches with shared meals at clubrooms.

Venues driving local growth

At Queen Elizabeth Oval in the city centre, Bendigo City FC expanded its under-14 program to four teams after securing extra field time on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Across town at White Hills Recreation Reserve, the Strathfieldsaye Netball Club introduced a Tuesday morning walking-netball group for residents over 50 that now draws 35 participants each week. Both sites sit within easy reach of central suburbs, cutting travel time for parents who juggle work shifts at local factories.

Coaches at these grounds credit the growth to simple additions such as free equipment loans and post-training barbecues that keep families on site longer. The result is visible on Saturday mornings when car parks at both locations fill by 8am.

Numbers behind the trend

Club records show combined membership reached 1,240 players across the two organisations in the current season, up from 970 in 2025. Annual fees remain at $165 for juniors and $210 for seniors, with payment plans introduced in March to ease costs for households in Kangaroo Flat and Long Gully. Volunteer rosters have grown by 22 people since January, covering everything from canteen duties to ground marking on Epsom Road.

Next month the clubs will host open registration days on 9 August at Queen Elizabeth Oval and 16 August at White Hills Recreation Reserve. Residents can attend either session to try a session, sign up on the spot or speak with committee members about volunteer roles. Details appear on the clubs' websites and at the Bendigo Sports and Leisure Centre on View Street.