sport
Thousands of Bendigo students compete at elite Lar Birpa facility.
Thousands of students are hitting the track this week as schools leverage elite facilities and development pathways across the region.
How we reported this
Track and field activity is reaching a seasonal peak across the district, with thousands of students descending on the Lar Birpa Athletics Complex. As a primary hub for local sport, the complex remains the cornerstone for school carnivals and training, hosting over 50 schools and roughly 20,000 students annually, according to data from the Bendigo Harriers (https://www.bendigoharriers.org/about-4).
Pathways for aspiring athletes
For students in Years 7-12, the focus has shifted toward balancing rigorous academic schedules with elite-level training. The select-entry Athlete Development Program (ADP) is currently operational, allowing students to integrate their classroom learning with specialized coaching in track and field. This program is available to students at five major local institutions: Bendigo South East College, Crusoe College, Eaglehawk Secondary College, Weeroona College Bendigo, and Bendigo Senior Secondary College (https://www.athleticsbendigo.org.au/clubs/).
Competition standards remain high as student-athletes move through the school sport structure. High schoolers consistently compete in regional events, beginning with the Sandhurst Division carnival and aiming for qualification at the Loddon Mallee Region finals (https://www.crusoecollege.vic.edu.au/learning/adp/).
Year-round engagement in club athletics
Beyond the school-led programs, the local sporting calendar extends into the summer months for older competitors. Students aged 12 and up have the option to join Athletics Victoria competitions through established clubs such as the Bendigo Harriers. These club-run events are scheduled to operate from October through to March, ensuring consistent access to professional-grade competition surfaces and timing equipment (https://www.cmc.vic.edu.au/sandhurst-athletics-carnival-2024/).
Students and families looking to participate in the upcoming circuit are encouraged to check the latest schedules provided by Athletics Bendigo. With the current season progressing, schools will continue to utilize the Lar Birpa track for developmental training sessions ahead of the next round of regional finals (https://www.athleticsbendigo.org.au/bendigo-regional-athletics-track/).