The Eagles’ first foray into the Central Victoria Football league will see the squad take on Eaglehawk away at Canterbury Park.
United announced it would be making the move to a new league from the AFL Goulburn Murray system after the 2025 season, where the side reached the semi-finals.
The club previously won the Goulburn Murray Girls League in dominant fashion in 2024, not dropping a single game on its way to the title.
The coach behind that success, Jason Dennis, has returned to the helm after a year away to guide the Eagles into their new era.
“(I'm) trying to get back to a local level and put a bit back into the community,” Dennis said.
“Because we went to a new league, I'm just trying to make sure we get off on the right foot.”
The Eagles’ new league features 10 sides, mostly based in the greater Bendigo area, with Echuca United and Eaglehawk joined by Kangaroo Flat, Sandhurst, White Hills, Woorinen, Castlemaine, Golden Square, Marong and Strathfieldsaye.
Dennis said the Central Vic league provided additional opportunities for the club to expand and for players to develop.
“(It’s a) fresh challenge,” he said.
“Not a standalone women's league, it's part of a big, well-represented league.
“I feel like there's some more opportunities for the girls trying to get to Bendigo Pioneers as well if they want to.”
The club is also exploring the option of adding an under-15 side to the league in future seasons.
Dennis said numbers were looking good heading into the season and, while it’s difficult to know where the Eagles might stand in an unfamiliar league, the club was aiming high.
“I suppose our goal would be to make finals, but just be competitive and make sure the girls are improving and having fun, that's the main thing,” he said.
The Eagles’ opening game starts at 11am on Sunday, the competition to run over 15 regular season rounds, concluding on August 16, with a finals series to follow.
United’s home opener will be on Sunday, May 3, as the league’s geographical outlier Woorinen comes to town.
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