Bendigo Youth Sports Spotlight: Funding and Tournament News

Bendigo will host the 2026 Code Sports NBL Blitz preseason basketball tournament at Red Energy Arena from September 2 to 6, featuring top professional teams. This upcoming event adds to the city's role in youth basketball pathways.

National Championships Extended

The Foot Locker Under-16 National Championships will continue in Bendigo through 2027. This event serves as a key high-performance youth basketball pathway and is expected to attract over 3,000 visitors while generating $4 million in economic benefit.

Scholarships Awarded in 2025

In 2025, 16 young Bendigo athletes received Sports Star scholarships from the Cyril Michelsen and Maxine Crouch Trust Fund to support their athletic development. These awards help cover costs associated with training and competition for local participants.

Grants for Equipment and Travel

Bendigo Cricket Club received a $2,600 Active Kids grant for junior equipment including helmets, stumps and balls to support youth participation. Local young champions recently received Australian Government Local Sporting Champions grants of up to $950 for travel, equipment and uniforms in sports such as swimming, soccer and wheelchair sports.

These forms of support allow clubs and individuals to maintain programs that focus on skill development and participation. The combination of tournament hosting and targeted funding provides ongoing opportunities for young athletes in the region to progress in their chosen sports.

Events such as the NBL Blitz and the Under-16 championships build on existing local infrastructure at venues like Red Energy Arena. The grants help address immediate needs for equipment and travel, which in turn sustains weekly training and competition schedules for juniors.

With the championships secured through 2027, planning for future youth events can proceed with greater certainty. Clubs receiving equipment grants can direct resources toward regular sessions rather than replacement costs.