Football in Bendigo heading in the right direction

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Image credit: Football Victoria

On March 23-24, 2024, it was an occasion of importance for the tight knit community of Bendigo, especially for those who reside there with a footballing appreciation.

In an attempt to create a football scene amongst more regional areas across the state, Football Victoria (FV) spearheads a major youth event at Bendigo’s hub of football – Epsom Huntly Recreational Reserve.

The event, known as ‘Boys & Girls FC’, has become one of the FV’s major community events in recent years. It provides the opportunity for clubs located within the Bendigo region to participate against one another, and renowned clubs from Melbourne’s inner regions before their respective upcoming seasons. Over 1000 players took part in 140 fixtures in 2024’s instalment.

Dandenong City, Brighton Soccer Club, Eltham Redbacks and Watsonia Heights are just a few notable Melbournian teams that made the trip out to Bendigo to be involved. The event debuted in 2019 before returning in 2021 with the event in 2020 being cancelled due to Covid-19.

This allows all age groups involved to have the chance of playing in pre-season tournaments in order to remove the cobwebs – perhaps placed over the summer off-season – while rekindling chemistry with teammates and coaches of the season prior.

The event has a festival-like atmosphere. Entertainment, football, family activities and food variety are all on offer, enticing current or potentially new families to seek the opportunity of participating in the global code of football.

The City of Greater Bendigo has remained a partner of Football Victoria for this event, in what can be analysed as an attempt to create and foster a football appreciation amongst the country town.

So far, the region and those surrounding all participate in the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League, comprising 15 clubs across six towns.

An event dedicated to the grassroots of the game can only benefit any newly found support for the sport in these outer regions of Melbourne – especially towards Western United territory we will watch this space.

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Football QLD to team up with Restore Function Physiotherapy

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Football Queensland announced last week it will be partnering with Restore Function Physiotherapy in a multi-year collaboration.

Elite preparation and performance

By establishing a long-term partnership with a business dedicated to supporting athletes in the region, Football Queensland are showing their commitment to supporting current and future players in their physical preparation.

Furthermore, by ensuring injuries are kept at bay through physiotherapy, strength and conditioning services, Restore Function Physiotherapy will help Football Queensland to keep their most talented players fit and firing throughout the season.

Football Queensland CEO, Robert Cavallucci, expressed his delight at establishing the alliance and what it means for Football Queensland’s football development going forward.

“Our partnership with Restore Function Physiotherapy is a key step in continuing to raise the standard of FQ Academy and State Team programs,” Cavallucci said via press release.

“Restore Function Physiotherapy will deliver a range of services across our boys’ and girls’ pathways, including training and match coverage, injury screening, rehabilitation and high performance support,” he continued.

“The experience everyone at Restore Function Physiotherapy bring from elite sport will help to further professionalise our programs and support the long-term development and wellbeing of Queensland players.”

 

Supporting long-term development

As Football Queensland looks to build a sustainable footballing future across the region, prioritising players’ health will be essential. With training partners like Restore Function Physiotherapy, clubs can help their players become elite athletes, ultimately improving the footballing standards on the pitch.

Restore Function Physiotherapy Owner and Founder, Miranda O’Hara, revealed her pride at having established an alliance with Football QLD for the upcoming season and beyond.

“We’re proud to partner with Football Queensland and support its Academy and State Team players with high quality, evidence-based physiotherapy and high performance programs,” O’Hara said via press release.

“Our role is to work closely with players and staff to deliver injury prevention, rehabilitation and S&C programs that support sustainable high performance and long-term athlete development.”

It is clear that the impact of a partnership between Football QLD and Restore Function Physiotherapy goes far beyond a mere commercial venture. It is an alliance which can help a local business, as well as nurture future talents coming through the Football QLD system.

Ultimately, by providing Queensland players with elite training and support networks, a distinct culture of excellence and professionalism is created before they step onto the pitch.

 

Read more about Restore Function Physiotherapy and the services they provide here.

 

Who are the Key Speakers at the 2026 FV Club Administrator Conference?

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Football Victoria (FV) has confirmed the expert lineup for the 2026 Club Administrator Conference, set to take place at The Home of The Matildas on Saturday, 7 February.

While the annual forum remains a staple of the pre-season calendar, the 2026 edition arrives against a backdrop of increasing administrative complexity for the state’s grassroots ecosystem. Consequently, this year’s schedule moves beyond standard networking to prioritise specific subject matter experts who address three distinct pressure points: digital transition, infrastructure investment, and operational risk management.

Digital and Infrastructure Strategy

For club administrators, the immediate operational focus remains the integration of the new Dribl platform. However, FV’s Head of Government Relations & Strategy, Lachlan Cole, drives the broader strategic conversation.

Cole dissects the Facilities Strategy 2025-2035 during the “Level The Playing Field” session. Crucially, a bipartisan panel featuring Parliamentary Friends of Football Co-Conveners Anthony Cianflone MP and John Pesutto MP joins him. With the 2026 state election looming, their involvement offers clubs a rare mechanism to understand how to leverage political support for infrastructure funding.

Risk and Compliance

The burden of compliance on volunteers remains a central theme. Tom Dixon, National Manager at Play by the Rules, confronts the tightening regulatory environment regarding member protection. Dixon delivers a technical breakdown on complaints management, specifically targeting the tangible liability risks that volunteer boards face.

Moreover, Outside the Locker Room CEO Todd Morgan turns the lens toward the psychosocial environment. Morgan presents frameworks for managing mental well-being, equipping administrators with the tools to navigate high-pressure sporting contexts.

Further strengthening the governance focus, FV Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Project Manager Sophie Byrnes outlines the organisation’s new DEI Framework. Her session examines how clubs embed these standards into core business operations rather than treating them as peripheral activities. This structural approach finds a complement in Tarik Bayrakli. Bringing seven years of development experience, Bayrakli presents the ‘A.W.E.S.O.M.E.’ framework, a systematic methodology designed to help committees move beyond simple punitive measures and address club culture at the source.

Ultimately, this speaker lineup represents a shift from general club development to specific technical upskilling, reflecting the professionalisation required of modern volunteer committees.

 

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