There is no doubting Aussie Rules, soccer and netball are still three of the biggest games in Bendigo and district.

For a lot of teams there are premiership and championship points up for grabs, but for others it's all about learning and having fun.

The smiles after a goal, big mark, intercept or any other play that draws plenty of applause from the coach and fans are priceless.

The Bendigo Junior Football League motto 'Tomorrow's champions are playing today' hits the mark.

Many of the players in the Bendigo Football League first ran out in the BJFL, some just a few years ago.

The BJFL is booming.

In the weekend's grading matches there were 20 games at under-16 level, 26 in the under-14s, and 32 in the under-12s.

That's a lot of players.

Add in the youth girls and newly-formed under-12 girls competition and footy's reach in this region is huge.

Just as significant is the number of players in the under-10 and under-9 games.

Being at Long Gully Oval on Sunday morning rekindled many memories for this sportswriter and his playing days with North Bendigo Junior Football Club.

The Bulldogs' under-9 team on Sunday included Jimmy Webb, grandson of the late David Webb and this author's first footy coach at North Bendigo in 1979.

On Sunday, Jimmy's dad Damien was goal umpire, a role his dad played in Damien's first game for North's juniors 

It's great to see more than 35 years after David Webb started coaching at North Bendigo that the family's link to the club rolls on.

A familiar face for so many North Bendigo players over the years is Des Nicholson.

It was way back in 1971 that Des started coaching at the club.

A great run of premiership success was achieved with players such as Gavin Exell, the Holden brothers, Andrew McClellan and many more.

The Nicholson family has played a significant role in the club's history.

Whether it be coach, player, manager, timekeeper, president or other roles, Des and his son Tommy have done plenty for the club.

All the while, Des has had great support from his wife Val.

There have been many others chip in to play those crucial off-field roles, some have done so season after season.

Generation after generation has run out to play for all Bendigo JFL clubs.

The same applies for the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League's junior competition in which many progress to play for senior clubs.

Juniors are the future of so many clubs, but just as important for them all is having fun, no matter what the scoreboard reads.