THE Bendigo Junior Football League will be aiming to extend its head-to-head advantage over Shepparton’s juniors when they meet in the annual La Trobe University Challenge this Sunday.
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The challenge between the two junior leagues was first held in 2011, with Bendigo holding the overall ascendancy 5-1.
However, the Shepparton and Districts Junior Football League did win last year’s battle following a countback.
This Sunday’s matches will be played at Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane.
The challenge will feature six games from under-12s through to under-18 youth girls.
“These games are usually very close and competitive and played in the right spirit by all participants,” AFL Central Victoria junior operations manager Norm Sheahan said on Wednesday.
“The up-and-coming talent of many young future stars will be on show to represent their league in what will be an enthralling day of football.”
Players to represent Bendigo have been selected from AFL Central Victoria’s academy program.
The academy program runs from March to July and offers the region’s most talented players the opportunity to train with their peers weekly at a high-level intensity, as well as their normal club training.
• La Trobe University Challenge program:
Under-12s – 10am on second oval.
Under-13s – 11.40am on second oval.
Under-14s – 10.10am on main oval.
Under-15s – 12.10pm on main oval.
Under-16s – 2.10pm on main oval.
Under-18 youth girls – 1.20pm on second oval.
Entry is $8 for adults and $5 for pensioners. Under-16.5 is free.