How to Get Started in Bendigo Youth Sports: Programs and Entry Points

Red Energy Arena in Bendigo will host the 2026 Code Sports NBL Blitz from September 2-6, giving local youth an opportunity to engage with preseason NBL action alongside professional players.

The event highlights ongoing youth sports activity in the region at a time when families seek structured ways for children to enter organised sport. Several established programmes already operate year-round and accept new participants through standard registration processes.

Netball pathways through Bendigo Strathdale Netball Association

Bendigo Strathdale Netball Association runs one of Victoria's largest junior netball competitions. Families interested in netball can register children directly with the association to join weekly matches and training sessions that form a central part of regional youth sport.

Athletics entry via Bendigo Little Athletics

Bendigo Little Athletics caters to girls and boys aged 5-15. The programme focuses on running, jumping and throwing disciplines through Saturday morning competitions that introduce basic skills in a group setting suitable for beginners.

Scholarships and grants for ongoing participation

The Bendigo Sports Star program annually recognises young athletes through scholarships and awards, with 2025 recipients including cycling and netting youth champions from the region. Separately, the Local Sporting Champions program awarded grants to Bendigo's young sports stars in October 2025 to support travel, equipment and uniforms for participants in swimming, soccer, volleyball and wheelchair sports. Prospective athletes can explore these recognition schemes after initial involvement in the core programmes listed above.

Interested families should contact the listed organisations through their established channels to confirm current registration periods and requirements for each activity. This approach allows new participants to begin at an appropriate level without additional assumptions about availability or costs.