The Rich History of Bentleigh Junior Football Club
Junior football in the local area began in 1956 when the Bentleigh Tigers faced the McKinnon Demons in the inaugural match at King George VI Reserve. Following this, the Bentleigh McKinnon Youth Centre organized competitions for Under 11, Under 13, and Under 15 age groups, meeting the high demand for youth sports in the area.
As participation grew, the Bentleigh Tigers expanded, leading to the formation of the Bentleigh Bulldogs in the early 1960s. Notable players from the Tigers, such as Greg Wells, Gary Hardeman, Trevor Barker, and Geoff Raines, went on to achieve success in the VFL.
In 1984, the Bulldogs and Tigers merged to form the Bentleigh Junior Football Club, inspiring other local clubs to unite. From 1985 to 1997, the club proudly wore the North Melbourne colors, later transitioning to Melbourne colors in 1998 as part of our alignment with the Bentleigh Senior Football Club.
Throughout its history, the Bentleigh Junior Football Club has fielded teams ranging from Under 9 to Under 17, and we continue to thrive with a strong influx of players from Auskick and younger age groups. Recently, we have also collaborated with Highett JFC, St Peters JFC, and St Pauls Mckinnon JFC to field merged teams.
In 2017, we launched our first standalone girls’ team, and since then, female participation has grown significantly, with four girls’ teams competing in 2024.
The club is proud to have produced three current AFL players: Joel Amartey (Sydney Swans), Josh Worrell (Adelaide Crows), and Luke Nankervis (drafted to Adelaide Crows in 2021).
Our recent success on the field has been remarkable. In 2022, we celebrated three premierships, and in 2023, we achieved a club record of five premierships, including four on a memorable day at Murrumbeena Park. In 2024, we captured two more flags in the U11 and U12 divisions.
The Bentleigh Junior Football Club is a proud member of the Southern Metro Junior Football League, continuing to foster a love for the game and developing the next generation of football talent.
