Get in the game: your guide to joining Bendigo's top local sports teams in 2025-26

Bendigo's sporting calendar is stacked across the next 12 months, and whether you want to pull on a jumper or just get along to a game, there's a clear path in for locals.

The 2025 Bendigo Football Netball League season is already under way, with reigning premier Sandhurst the team to beat, according to the league's official preview. South Bendigo FNC enters the season brimming with confidence after a busy off-season that installed new co-coaches Jack Fallon and Troy Coates, plus key recruits Josh Nitschke and Macgregor Cameron. For anyone thinking about lacing up boots next year, the message from both camps is consistent: approach the clubs now, register interest early and turn up to pre-season sessions.

From the boundary to the pitch

Cricket season is also on the radar. Bendigo's 1st XI competition for the 2024-25 summer features the Goers, captained by James Ryan and bolstered by new recruit Brodie Reaper, and the Redbacks, led by returning legend Heath Behrens. If you missed the start of the current season, clubs generally open registrations around mid-winter, with training getting under way in late spring. The best first step is to check each club's social media pages or drop into their home ground on a training night, most publish schedules online.

For netball fans, a major event is heading to town. The 'Bound 4 Bendigo' showcase on 2026 calendar will stage an inaugural standalone Suncorp Super Netball pre-season derby between Melbourne Vixens and Melbourne Mavericks at Red Energy Arena. It's a rare chance to see elite netball live in Bendigo without travelling to Melbourne. For local players wanting to join a club, the BFNL netball competition runs alongside the footy season, with clubs holding registration days in February and March each year.

Hoops and fresh starts

Basketball is also a strong option. The Bendigo Spirit finished the previous WNBL season with a joint-worst record of five wins and 16 losses, level with Townsville Fire. The club is aiming to start fresh in the upcoming WNBL20 campaign. Try-outs and development squads for the Spirit's pathways programs, from juniors through to the senior squad, are typically advertised in October. The Spirit play out of Red Energy Arena, and attending a game is a simple way to gauge the standard before committing to trials.

Across all codes, the practical advice from club officials is consistent: don't wait until the season starts. Contact the club secretary, attend an open session, or bring a friend to a match to see the culture first-hand. Most Bendigo clubs run come-and-try days in the weeks leading into pre-season, and many offer discounted first-year memberships.

For spectators, the upcoming summer will be the biggest opportunity to get involved without a uniform. The 'Bound 4 Bendigo' netball derby is expected to draw a crowd, and the Spirit will be chasing redemption after a difficult season. Whether you're playing or cheering, the next step is simple: pick a sport, find the club, and show up.