Game day — what to expect
Your first game-day guide: what to pack, when to arrive and how a junior footy match runs. Everything a new footy parent needs.
🎒 What to bring
- Footy boots (and runners as backup)
- Mouthguard — essential for contact grades
- Club guernsey, shorts and socks
- Drink bottle (named)
- A warm jacket and beanie — Bendigo winters are cold
- Sunscreen, and a chair for you
[CONFIRM: confirm whether mouthguards are required from a particular age group, and any club-specific kit notes.]
⏱️ Arriving & timing
Get there about [CONFIRM: minutes before bounce] before the scheduled start so the team can warm up together. Games are four short quarters with breaks; most are done within a couple of hours.
Where: home games are at [CONFIRM: home ground name]; away games are at the opponent's ground (check the fixture).
How a junior game runs
Warm-up
The team meets, warms up and the coach talks through the plan. Get your child there in time for this.
Four quarters
Players rotate through positions and everyone gets game time. Short breaks between quarters; a longer one at half-time.
After the siren
A team huddle, maybe an award, then pack up. A quick "well played" from you goes a long way — win or lose.
Sideline tip. The best footy parents cheer effort, not just goals — and leave the coaching and umpiring to the coaches and umpires. It makes footy more fun for every kid out there. See our spectator code of conduct.
