Athlete Development Program heats up as regional competition nears

The competitive season remains at a fever pitch for Bendigo’s student athletes as training intensity climbs at the Lar Birpa Athletics Complex. As the primary hub for local athletics, the facility currently supports more than 50 Bendigo schools, with roughly 20,000 students passing through its gates each year for a mix of training sessions and inter-school carnivals.

Developing the next generation of track talent

For the cohort of high school students aiming for the next level, the Athlete Development Program (ADP) is now a central fixture of the sporting calendar. Open to students in Years 7-12, the select-entry program combines rigorous academic study with specialized coaching in track and field. The program is currently operating across five key institutions: Bendigo South East College, Crusoe College, Eaglehawk Secondary College, Weeroona College Bendigo, and Bendigo Senior Secondary College.

These athletes are currently focusing their efforts on the pathway toward regional honors. Students typically compete in initial events such as the Sandhurst Division carnival before vying for a spot at the Loddon Mallee Region finals. For those aged 12 and over, the competitive calendar is bolstered by club-level involvement, with the Bendigo Harriers offering a structured path to Athletics Victoria competitions between October and March.

Building infrastructure for a growing sports city

The commitment to physical infrastructure continues to mirror the city's sporting growth. Beyond the track, the broader urban development plan includes significant residential projects that will eventually reshape the city’s footprint. At the former Bendigo Teachers’ College site on Osborne Street, Flora Hill, early works have commenced on a project slated to deliver 160 homes by 2027. This development includes a specific provision for 56 social and affordable housing units.

Further residential growth is being managed through the Greater Bendigo City Council’s commitment to add 900 homes annually across five distinct growth corridors: Marong, Junortoun, Huntly, Maiden Gully, and Kangaroo Flat. In Huntly, the Viewpoint Estate stands as a notable example of this expansion, with an estimated capacity of over 800 homes integrated with parklands and walking trails. For families requiring immediate support, 73 new, energy-efficient homes are already operational at the Uniting Bendigo site, with 75% of those properties now occupied by applicants from the priority housing waitlist.

As the academic and sporting terms progress, student athletes should confirm their registration details through their respective school ADP coordinators to ensure they remain eligible for upcoming regional carnivals.