Bendigo Junior Football League

20/10/2026

Working with Children Connect is a new platform that will assist clubs to check the Working with Children status of their volunteers, and also make it easier to link volunteers to your club. Click this link for further information https://aflcentralvic.com.au/changes-to-the-working-with-children-check/

Changes to the Working with Children Check

Keeping children safe is a shared responsibility.

In July 2026, reforms strengthened information sharing, risk assessment and the Social Services Regulator’s (SSR) powers to act where there are concerns about a person’s suitability to work with children.

In October 2026, Victoria is further strengthening the Working with Children (WWC) Check with the introduction of:

WWC Connect online service, to help organisations (including sole traders) meet the new legal requirement to notify the SSR about workers and volunteers they engage to work with children
new mandatory child safety training for people applying for or renewing their WWC Clearance.
Together, these changes will strengthen the safeguards that help organisations make safer decisions about the people they engage to work or volunteer with children.

See below for a link to the factsheet with the changes 👇
https://aflcentralvic.com.au/changes-to-the-working-with-children-check/

07/10/2026

2027 CLUB HEALTH CHECK

Clubs are invited to complete the 2027 Club Health Check — a short survey designed to help understand the current structures, challenges and priorities of local football clubs across Victoria.

The survey takes around 20 minutes to complete and will help Victorian Leagues, Regions and AFL Victoria identify where clubs need support and what resources can make life easier for volunteers in 2027 and beyond.

The survey covers a range of areas relating to club operations and is an important opportunity for clubs to provide feedback and help shape future support.

Take the Club Health Check here:
https://shorturl.at/q7r39

A reminder that you don't need to spend too much time overthinking individual questions. There is an opportunity at the end of the survey to provide additional comments or highlight specific priorities.

Clubs are also encouraged to contact their League/Region Club Development Lead if there are particular areas where support is needed.

Thank you to all our club volunteers for taking the time to complete the survey!

Calling all club volunteers!

The 2027 Club Health Check is your chance to tell us what’s working, what’s challenging and where you need support.

Your feedback helps strengthen your club today and helps shape the future of community football across Victoria.

To complete the survey, please click here: https://shorturl.at/q7r39

02/10/2026

With most footy clubs holding their AGM between now and the the end of the year it's important you follow the guidelines set out in your club's Constitution. A few important questions you may want to ask yourselves beforehand:
How many members are required in attendance to form a quorum?
Who at your club is actually a member and what are their rights at your AGM?
Who is eligible to be elected to your Committee?
How many people are required to be elected to your Committee?

Most BJFL clubs will already be members of Sports Focus, so reach out to them for any clarification you may have in any areas of your club's Constitution.

If you're not a current member, touch base with them and for a small annual fee you'll be well supported in all important facets of your club.

22/09/2026

If this is what one of the greats of the game thinks, it should be good enough for all of us!

17/09/2026

🏆 BJFL GRAND FINALS – WATCH THE REPLAYS! 🏆

What a weekend it was!

The 2026 La Trobe University Bendigo Junior Football League Grand Finals were played across Bendigo last weekend, with our junior footballers putting on some fantastic contests and creating plenty of memories along the way.

From the opening bounce through to the final siren, you can catch all the action and celebrate the efforts of our players, coaches, volunteers and families who made the 2026 BJFL season such a great one.

🎥 Watch the Grand Final replays:
AFL Central Victoria YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/

A huge congratulations to all our 2026 Grand Finalists, and thank you to everyone who helped make Grand Final weekend such a fantastic celebration of junior football.

16/09/2026

GET ACTIVE KIDS VOUCHERS ARE NOW OPEN!

Planning ahead for the 2027 football season?

Eligible families can now apply for a Get Active Kids Voucher valued at up to $200 per child to help with the cost of junior sport.

The vouchers can be used towards eligible membership and registration fees and are a great way to help make football more affordable for families.

📅 Applications are open now and close at 10am on Tuesday, 13 October 2026 — or earlier if the available funding is exhausted. Vouchers can be used until 27 April 2027 which will cover you for the 2027 BJFL season.

👉 Apply for your voucher:
https://www.getactive.vic.gov.au/vouchers/apply-for-vouchers/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

⚠️ CLUBS – IMPORTANT REMINDER

For your players and families to be able to nominate your club when applying for a voucher, your club must be registered and linked to the Get Active Kids Voucher Program as a Registered Activity Provider.

If your club hasn't completed this process, please make sure you do so as soon as possible.

Once a voucher is issued, it is linked to the activity provider selected during the application process, so families should check that their preferred football club is listed before submitting their application.

Help spread the word and give more kids the opportunity to get involved in football in 2027!

11/09/2026

A reminder for those heading to BJFL Grand Finals this weekend. If these guidelines are not adhered to you will be asked to leave the venue.

A reminder for all patrons at the BJFL Finals over the next couple of weeks:

- No smoking or va**ng inside the venues (It is illegal)
- No dogs permitted unless it is a support dog
- No alcohol

If these guidelines are not adhered to or are met with a response of aggression, you will be referred to the league. You and/or the club that you are supporting will face possible fines and/or suspension from all AFL Central Victoria sanctioned events.

10/09/2026

10/09/2026

Thank you to all of our wonderful club volunteers that made it along to the BJFL Annual Dinner last night at The Bendigo Club to celebrate the 2026 season.

Congratulations to all of our award recipients:

La Trobe University BJFL Coach of the Year - Matt Reeves (Huntly Junior Football Page U12 Girls)

Club Service Award - John McInerney (Strath Storm FNC)

Tim Donnelly Award - Marcus Goudge (Bendigo Umpires Association)

Many teams were also recognised with Most Disciplined Club Awards, acknowledging their exemplary conduct and commitment throughout the season across a range of key areas that reflect and uphold the values and expectations of the BJFL.

Thank you to our MC, Benny Jones, who did a fantastic job keeping the evening flowing and ensuring the night ran smoothly.

A huge thank you also to Bendigo Spirit players Olivia Pollerd and Marianna Tolo, who joined us for a chat and shared their inspiring journeys from community sport through to the elite level.