Confidence fuelled by unbridled hometown passion is often the difference when elite sporting teams get locked in battle.

Players always confess in the wake of grand victories that it was the hometown support that lifted them over the line.

A visiting Melbourne journalist commented this week that the enormous atmosphere that lifted Bendigo Spirit to victory against Dandenong in last Sunday’s second semi-final at Bendigo Stadium was as good as anything he’d experienced at a Women’s National Basketball League match.

What a fantastic endorsement for this city and those who cheered the Spirit to victory. 

This type of community backing will make a difference when Bendigo Spirit takes the court in search of that championship dream at Bendigo Stadium on March 10.

Today, the Bendigo Advertiser publishes a special Bendigo Spirit supporter poster.

The Bendigo Spirit has called on businesses, community groups and homeowners to display the poster as a show of support. We hope those wishes are answered.

This is a great way for the community to remind Spirit players, coaches and support staff how much this city values their effort.

And wouldn’t it be great to see the opposition roll into town on grand final day to a sea of Bendigo Spirit support.