In November 2006, local ice hockey player Chris Thompson went down to Participaction Day after watching a clip of lacrosse on the internet, in the hope of finding a club. After meeting a representative of Lacrosse Victoria, and finding out there were no clubs locally; they agreed to have a representative of Lacrosse Victoria travel up to Bendigo and help train a group of players Chris had recruited over the summer. They continued this until the end of 2007.
By January 2008 the BLA was officially formed, making it the first regional association in Australian lacrosse history. Neville Bell was elected the association’s first president and Chris Thompson took on the role of Secretary. For the next two years, the BLA began introducing lacrosse throughout the local region. It provided clinics in schools, recruited more senior players, as well as hosted a number of friendly matches with various Melbourne clubs.
2010 marked a big year for the BLA. Neville passed on the president’s torch to Darren Sexton, and the BLA entered a team in the Victorian Men’s Division 3 Field Lacrosse Competition for their inaugural season. The first match was held on April 18th with Knox defeating Bendigo by 1 goal. The 2010 season was a great learning experience for the club and its players. Also some of the players participated in the Victorian summer box lacrosse league.
In 2011 the BLA are looking to expand the sport throughout the region and form a local junior competition. In addition, they will also be fielding a team in the Victorian Division 3 Men’s Field Lacrosse Competition.