How to Get Involved in Bendigo Sports: What You Need to Know to Start

Bendigo Stadium upgrades funded by the Regional Sports Infrastructure Program are adding two new courts along with refurbished courts 9 and 10 and improved lighting for outdoor netball, with construction due to finish in late 2026. These changes sit alongside the recent opening of La Trobe University's Bendigo Sports Centre and the Mercy Junortoun Sporting Precinct at Catherine McAuley College, giving residents multiple starting points for organised sport.

The timing matters because Bendigo will host six sports for the 2026 Commonwealth Games from March 17 to 29, including track cycling, 3x3 basketball, lawn bowls, table tennis, netball and squash. Local clubs and venues are already preparing additional teams and sessions to meet expected demand, while the Melbourne Cobras elite hockey team has selected Bendigo as its new regional base for central Victoria.

La Trobe University Bendigo Sports Centre

The new La Trobe University Bendigo Sports Centre provides indoor and outdoor courts for netball, basketball, volleyball and badminton plus a gym and group fitness studio. A free trial period runs until August 22, allowing new participants to test sessions without upfront cost before committing to membership or club registration.

Mercy Junortoun Sporting Precinct

The $25.9 million Mercy Junortoun Sporting Precinct at Catherine McAuley College features junior and senior ovals with lighting, outdoor netball courts, an indoor two-court stadium and a cricket training hub. These purpose-built spaces support junior and senior pathways in Australian rules football, netball and cricket, the city's two most popular sports.

Bendigo Football League and Historic Clubs

The Bendigo Football League runs ten Australian rules football teams, with Sandhurst Football Club, founded in 1861, among the oldest clubs in the world. New players can contact clubs directly to join pre-season training or lower-grade sides, where recruitment remains open each winter.

Red Energy Arena and Upcoming Events

Red Energy Arena will host the 2026 Code Sports NBL Blitz from September 2 to 6, bringing all ten NBL teams to Bendigo for pre-season matches. The same venue will stage the inaugural Melbourne Vixens versus Melbourne Mavericks Suncorp Super Netball pre-season derby as part of the Bound 4 Bendigo showcase, with a Bendigo Strikers curtain-raiser providing local netball exposure.

Residents seeking further options can approach the City of Greater Bendigo council for details on the interest-free loan support given to the Golden Square ice skating rink or check schedules at Bendigo Showgrounds once the new multipurpose pavilion opens. Starting requires only contacting the relevant club or venue listed above and confirming current registration windows, which remain active throughout the winter season.