Victorian Amateur Football Association
The Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) is the largest senior community Australian rules football competition in Victoria. Founded in 1892, it consists of six senior men's and women's divisions ranging from Premier to Division 3.
Sport | Australian rules football |
---|---|
Founded | 1892 |
Divisions | 6 |
No. of teams | 61 |
Country | Australia |
Official website | vafa.com.au |
In addition, the VAFA Under-19s sections and five Thirds sections, primarily made up of either clubs only able to field one team, or clubs from higher sections that can field a third team after their seniors and reserves. The league operates a double promotion and relegation system between sections with various rules dictating which section clubs can play in.
The league's administration base is at Elsternwick Park, a former Victorian Football Association stadium in suburban Elsternwick, that was home to the now defunct Brighton Football Club and is now the home base for Old Melburnians Football Club and Elsternwick Football Club. It was redeveloped in 2017 and has a capacity for around 15,000 spectators.
The Association is made up of private school old boys clubs, university clubs and district clubs. No player payments are permitted, however players can be enticed by offers of employment.
History
Public Schools and Football.
The question of public school boys playing in senior football has recently been raised.
It has been contended that the entry of prominent schoolboy players into the ranks of the senior football teams would be a boon to the game, and it is also reported that some schoolboys are likely to play with senior teams.
In view of these reports, the attitude of the headmasters is of interest.
They have laid down the rule that no boy while at school shall be permitted to play with any League or Association team, but no ban is placed on a boy who may wish to play with an amateur team, provided such games do not interfere with his duty to the school football team.
Table Talk, 26 April 1923.[1]
Metropolitan Junior Football Association (MJFA)
The Victorian Amateur Football Association was founded in 1892 as the Metropolitan Junior Football Association.[2] The foundation clubs were: Alberton; Brighton; Collegians; Footscray District; St Jude's; St Mary's; Toorak-Grosvenor; YMCA.[3][4]
1912
In 1912 the MJFA became the Metropolitan Amateur Football Association.[5]
Prior to World War I, apart from its core function of delivering a competition for amateur footballers, the MAFA also provided an (unofficial) second-level competition for the VFL.[6] The VFL Second XVIII competition began in 1919;[7][8] the MAFA competition was not resumed, post-war, until 1920.
1920
On Monday, 22 March 1920, a meeting of the (then) Metropolitan Amateur Football Association decided to resume the inter-club competition that it had suspended for the duration of World War I at the end of the 1915 season.[9] The MAFA announced that the re-formed competition would be between four of the "pre-war" clubs — namely, Collegians Football Club, South Yarra Amateur Football Club, Elsternwick Football Club, and Melbourne University Football Club (later University Blacks) — and four "new clubs" — namely, Old Melburnians, Old Caulfield Grammarians, Melbourne Swimming Club Football Club and the Teachers’ College Football Club.[10]
Movement in and out of senior competition since inception
From a history of the VAFA[3]
Year | New clubs admitted | Clubs that left prior to commencement of following season | |
---|---|---|---|
1892 | Alberton, Brighton, Collegians, Footscray Districts, St. Jude's, St. Mary's, Toorak-Grosvenor, YMCA | ||
1893 | Olinda, University 2nd, South St. Kilda | ||
1894 | Nunawading, Scotch Collegians, Windsor and Caulfield | Olinda, University 2nd, Footscray District, St Jude's | |
1895 | Waltham | Toorak-Grosvenor, YMCA (both disbanded) | |
1896 | Old Melbournians, Malvern | Alberton, Scotch Collegians | |
1897 | Sth Yarra, Booroondara | Old Melbournians, Booroondara, Waltham (disbanded) | |
1898 | Leopold, Beverley | St Mary's (expelled) | |
1899 | Parkville, St Francis Xaviers, Kew | St Francis Xaviers (disbanded; replaced by Kew) | |
1900 | Sth Melbourne Juniors | ||
1902 | Hawthorn | ||
1904 | Fitzroy District | ||
1905 | Melbourne University | Booroondara (merged with Hawthorn) | |
1906 | Fitzroy renamed Collingwood Districts | ||
1908 | Oakley | Brighton, Melbourne University (to VFL) | |
1909 | Carlton Districts | Port Rovers | |
1913 | Fitzroy Juniors | Hawthorn (to VFA) | |
1914 | Elsternwick | ||
1915 | Caulfield merged with Malvern | ||
1916– 1920 |
In recess due to WWI | ||
1920 | (Limit 8 teams) Old Melburnians, Old Caulfield, Melbourne Swimming Club, Melbourne Teachers College, Collegians, Elsternwick, University B, Sth Yarra | ||
1921 | Old Brighton, Old Scotch Collegians, University A, Old Trinity, Sandringham, Hampton | Melbourne Teachers College (expelled) | |
1922 | 2 sections (8 each) Old Brighton, Murrumbeena, Elwood, Melbourne Shipping Company, Melbourne Teachers College (readmitted) |
Melbourne Shipping Company (disbanded) | |
1923 | 2 sections(A 8, B 9) Old Xaverians, Elsternwick B |
||
1924 | Burwood, Caulfield City, Old Brighton (readmitted) | Elwood | |
1925 | Old Hailebury, Caulfield City renamed Caulfield FC | Caulfield FC (expelled) | |
1926 | 3 sections (A 10, B and C 8 each) Geelong, Sandringham Jnrs, St Paul's Ascot Vale, Old Melburnians B, Teachers College B, Kew Jnrs, Brunswick Amateurs, Sth Caulfield, Gardenvale-Middle Brighton |
||
1927 | Glenhuntly B, West Hawthorn, Kingsville Rovers, Oakley Amateurs, Pascoe Vale, Black Rock, Naval Base Flinders, State Savings Bank |
Oakley Amateurs (expelled) | |
1928 | Oakley readmitted, Sandringham B, Burwood, Surrey Hills | Old Haileybury & Old Trinity merge, Sandringham, Sandringham B, Oakley (expelled), Pascoe Vale (expelled) | |
1929 | Melbourne Highschool Old Boys, Old Ivanhoe Grammarians, Old Paradians, Bentleigh | ||
1930 | Dandenong KSP, Brighton Technical OB, Glenhuntly B | Old Ivanhoe (disbanded), Black Rock (expelled) | |
1931 | Canterbury United Churches | ||
1932 | D Section formed: University Highschool OB, Nth Melbourne CBC OB, Ormond, W. Brunswick, Footscray TS OB, St Ignatius, Gardiner, ES&A Bank, Old Brightonians, National Bank | ||
1933 | Hampton Rovers, Gardiner renamed Malvern | West Hawthorn, Canterbury United Churches, Surrey Hills | |
1934 | Ivanhoe, Parkdale, Alphington | Dandenong | |
1935 | Carnegie, Coburg | St Ignatius (expelled), Old Haileybury/Old Trinity, Kingsville, National Bank | |
1936 | ES&A merged with National Bank, Fairfield, Mount Carmel OC, West Brunswick | Burwood | |
1937 | Myer, St Camberwell | Bentleigh District | |
1938 | Parkside Amateurs | ||
1939 | St Patrick's Ballarat OC, Heidelberg West | National Bank (disbanded), Carnegie, Nth Melbourne CBC OB (expelled) | |
1940 | Pascoe Vale, Powerhouse Season abandoned after R1 due to outbreak of WWII, matches expunged |
Geelong, Brighton, Old Brightonians (all disbanded) | |
1941– 1945 |
In recess due to WWII | ||
1946 | 25 clubs resumed in 3 Sections Balwyn Amateurs, Carnegie Church of Christ |
||
1947 | 34 clubs Elsternwick, Power House, Geelong (all readmitted), Commonwealth Bank, St. Kevins, State Electricity Commission |
||
1948 | 35 clubs Nth Alphington, University High School OB (readmitted) |
State Electricity Commission | |
1949 | 39 clubs in 4 sections Glenhuntly Jnrs, Moreland Amateurs, St Andrews |
||
1950 | Bellfield, Glenhuntly Jnrs | ||
1951 | St Patrick's Ballarat (readmitted) | ||
1952 | DS&A Bank | Moreland, Nth Alphington (expelled) | |
1953 | St Columb's | ||
1954 | 48 clubs in five sections ANZ Bank, Insurance Social Clubs Association, National Bank, Old Carey, Old Geelong Grammarians, Old Trinity, Power House Gold, Preston, Sth Melbourne City, Hawthorn Amateurs |
Caulfield | |
1955 | De La Salle, OC, Melburnians, University E | Myer | |
1956 | Port Melbourne Amateurs | Balwyn, St Patricks OC | |
1957 | AJAX | Hawthorn Amateurs (expelled) | |
1958 | Collegians Gold, St Kilda CBC OB | Insurance Social Clubs Associations | |
1959 | Commercial Bank, West Brunswick | Brighton, Huntingdale Jnrs, Sth Melbourne City (disbanded) | |
1960 | Old Camberwell | Port Melbourne Amateurs | |
1961 | |||
1962 | Monash University, Pharmacy College | ||
1963 | St Bernards OC, Nth Melbourne CBC OB (readmitted), Kooyong, AMP Society | Murrumbeena | |
1964 | RAAF Cadets (Point Cook), Old Ivanhoe Grammarians, Cassie, Monash University Whites, Assumption OB, St Patricks Ballarat (readmitted) | ||
1965 | Australian Postal Institute, Reservoir OB, Patricians | Pharmacy College (expelled) | |
1966 | Bellfield, API, Monash University Whites, RAAF Cadets, Cassie, Kooyong (refused readmission) | ||
1967 | |||
1968 | Old Mentonians | ||
1969 | |||
1970 | Old Essendon Grammarians, Dookie, Longernong OC, La Trobe University, ES&A merged with ANZ | ||
1971 | Marcellin OC, North Brunswick, La Trobe University Reds, Monash University Whites (readmitted) | ||
1972 | St Bedes OC | ||
1973 | Fawkner, Thornbury, University Reds (readmitted) | Fairfield (expelled for paying players) | |
1974 | Glenroy, Beverley Hills | ||
1975 | Bullen United, Heatherton, Bullen-Templestowe | ||
1976 | |||
1977 | State Savings Bank renamed State Bank, Glenroy renamed Therry CC OB | St Patricks Ballarat | |
1978 | Reservoir OB | ||
1979 | St Pius, Clayton, Princes Hill | National Bank | |
1980 | St John's OC, Peninsula OB, Coolaroo Rovers, Thomastown, Banyule | ||
1981 | |||
1982 | AMP Society renamed Balaclava | Geelong Amateurs | |
1983 | Williamstown CMYS | Assumption OC, Alphington (suspended for 2 years) | |
1984 | Old Essendon Grammarians (readmitted), Preston MB OB | Thornbury | |
1985 | St Andrew, St Leonards OC, Whitefriars OC (on probation), GTV-9, Eltham Collegians | ||
1986 | Alphington (readmitted) | ||
1987 | Aquinas OC, Bloods, Port Colts, Richmond Central | ||
1988 | Footscray TS OB renamed FIT | Coburg Amateurs, Clayton (merged with Waverley (VFA) to become Waverley Amateurs) | |
1989 | Mazenod OC, Salesian OC, Waverley Amateurs | ||
1990 | Boronia Park, St Mary's | FIT, Port Colts | |
1991 | St John's OC, Old Westbourne Grammarians, Monash Gryphons, St Patricks-Menton, Balaclava renamed Glen Huntly | Waverley Amateurs, State Bank & Commonwealth Bank (merged to become State Commonwealth Bank), St Kilda CB OC (merged with Murrumbeena to become St Kilda Sth Caulfield) | |
1992 | State Commonwealth Bank renamed Commonwealth Bank (C), St Kilda Sth Caulfield (C), St Leo's-Wattle Park, Camberwell | Albanvale, Kontias (disbanded R3, record expunged) | |
1993 | Yarra Valley Old Boys | ||
1994 | Eley Park, Newlands Coburg, Commonwealth Bank renamed Southbank | Boronia Park, Brunswick, Camberwell (disbanded) | |
1995 | Beaumaris, Hawthorn Citizens, Swinburne University, Eltham OC, Ivanhoe, Kew | Fawkner, Doveton, St Andrews-Coburg. | |
1996 | ANZ Bank renamed ANZ Albert Park, St. Leo's Wattle Park renamed St.Leo's Emmaus Wattle Park, Thornbury Cougars | Balwyn Combined, Bulleen United & Canterbury North Balwyn (merged to become Bulleen Cobras), Bloods (merged with Old Brighton to become Old Brighton Bloods) | |
1997 | Mt. Lilydale, Syndal Tally-Ho admitted, Therry CCOB renamed Therry Penola OB | Newlands Coburg | |
1998 | Werribee Amateurs (from FDFL), Hawthorn Citizens renamed Hawthorn Amateurs, University Reds renamed Fitzroy Reds | ||
1999 | Brunswick (readmitted), Southbank renamed Prahran, ANZ Albert Park renamed Albert Park, Ivanhoe renamed Ivanhoe-Assumption | Glenhuntly and St. Kilda Sth. Caulfield (merged to become Glen Eira) | |
2000 | St. Pats Mentone renamed Mentone Amateurs, Bentleigh, South Melbourne Districts | Monash Whites merged with Monash Blues, Chirnside Park | |
2001 | Thomastown | ||
2002 | Box Hill North, University Highschool OB renamed University Highschool-Victoria University | Eley Park, Parkside (to DVFL) | |
2003 | Mentone Amateurs renamed Mentone Vultures, Balwyn Combined, Canterbury North Balwyn, Yarra Valley OB, Brunswick Power | Preston MB OB, St Bedes OC (merged with Mentone to become St Bede's Mentone Tigers) | |
2004 | St Bede's Mentone Tigers, St. Leos Emmaus Wattle Park renamed Emmaus St. Leos OC |
Mentone Vultures (merged with Parkdale (SFL) to become Parkdale Vultures), Brunswick Power (to WRFL) | |
2005 | Parkdale Vultures (C) | Mt Lilydale (D4) | |
2006 | |||
2007 | South Mornington (D4) (from SFL) | ||
2008 | St Francis Xavier (D4) | St Marys Amateurs & Salesian OC AFC (merged to become St Mary's Salesian AFC) | |
2009 | St Mary's/Salesian AFC | ||
2010 | Point Cook | ||
2012 | Northern Blues (became a senior side out of a 19s) | ||
2012 | Masala | Rupertswood (moved to RDFNL) | |
2018 | Point Cook ( moved to WRFL) | ||
2019 | South Mornington (returned to SFNL), St Francis Xavier reconstituted as Narre South Saints (moved to SFNL) | ||
2023 | Ivanhoe, Old Paradians (moved to NFNL) |
Inter-league and Inter-state games
1925
In June 1925 a MAFA Representative XVIII defeated the South Australian 21.22 to 8.10 at the MCG in the first amateur Interstate representative game.[3]
1948
Players in the 1948 Perth Carnival included: R. B. Small, K. N. C. Rollanson, G. V. Byrne, C. P. Daley, J. C. Stock, V. G. Miller, E. Jane, W. J. Backhouse, W. T. Taggart, J. P. Sheehan, R. L. Rouse, K. F. Lewis, J. W. Grainier, W. Reynolds’s, N. P. Airmen, G. W. McTaggart, D. B. White, (Deputy Manager) E. L. Macklin, B. F. Judd, V. W. Paxton, M. J. Davidson, D. W. Arnold, (Capt.) G. T. Moore, (Manager) M. K. Fitcher, (Vice-Capt.) A. H. C. Richard’s, E. M. MacGregor.
1951
The Australian Amateur Jubilee Football Carnival was held in Melbourne in July 1951.
The Victorian team included: J. Kelly (Coach), K. Clarke, G. W. Gibbons, A. T. Shiel, D. Bills, J.D. Anderson, M.T. Hastie, A. D. Morning, G. Harris. G.T. Moore (Manager), A. E. Parley, W. B. Thomas, M. Mathewson, A. Ferguson, J. Stock, J. B. Jolley, J. Likely, B. F. Judd, W. M. Judd, P. McLaughlin, . Bedford, S. Bottles, D. W. Arnold (Capt.), P. M. Cox (V-Capt.), H. A. Meredith, A. F. Mellors, E. Donaldson.
1954
On 14 June 1954, the Queen's Birthday holiday, a Victorian representative team defeated a South Australian team 12.14 (86) to 10.15 (75) at the Junction Oval. The match was preceded by the Grand Final of a "lightning premiership" that involving sixteen teams playing knock-out matches of two 10 minute halves. Four of the first round matches were played at the Junction Oval, and the other four were played (simultaneously) at the Ross Gregory Oval at the other end of Albert Park Lake. The quarter final, semi final, and the Grand Final matches were all played at the Junction Oval. The sixteen teams involved were:[12]
- Alphington Football Club, Hampton Rovers Football Club, Melbourne High School Old Boys (M.H.S.O.B.), Old Melburnians, and Ormond Amateur Football Club from A Section.
- Brunswick Amateurs Football Club, Caulfield Grammarians Football Club, Coburg Amateurs Football Club, Collegians Football Club, and Ivanhoe Amateur Football Club from B Section.
- Balwyn Football Club, East Malvern Football Club, and Parkside Football Club from C Section.
- Parkdale Football Club from D Section.
- South Melbourne City Football Club, and Preston Amateurs Football Club from E Section.
Parkside (the team that would later go on to have its twenty-ninth consecutive win in the 1954 C Section Grand Final), having beaten Balwyn in the first round, Preston in the quarter finals, and Ivanhoe in the Semi-finals, defeated Alphington in the Grand Final to win the lightning premiership.[13]
1956
In 1956 a VAFA XVIII beat the combined VFL/VFA Amateurs in an Olympic demonstration game, 12.9 (81) to 8.7 (55).
1957
Of some considerable historical significance, the VAFA vs. South Australian Amateur Football League interstate match, played at Olympic Park on 17 June 1957 — which Victoria won 15.9 (99) to 8.3 (51)[14] — was the first ever uninterrupted telecast of a complete Australian rules football game (viz., it was a direct broadcast of the entire four quarters of the match, rather than just the last quarter) .[15][16][17][3]
1971
In 1971 a VAFA Representative side beat a VFA XVIII for the inaugural Victorian Football Cup 23.12 to 19.17.[3]
Growth
The inaugural season of the then MJFA comprised fixtures between 8 teams. By 1922 the association divided into 2 sections of 8. Only 4 years later three sections were established; Section A with 10 clubs and Section B and C with 8 clubs each.[3]
Competition was ceased for the Second World War (as it had after the Great War).[18] Restarting in 1946 with 27 clubs in three sections, by 1947 34 clubs were competing over three sections. 1948 saw 35 clubs spread over four sections. In 1954 the MAFA established a fifth section for its 48 senior clubs.[3]
1960 saw 74 clubs over 7 sections, but the association then dwindled and lost two sections. Section F was reintroduced in 1971. Section G was introduced in 1986. By 1987, there were 68 clubs over 8 sections.
Between 1995 until the end of the 1999 season, there was a geographic split in some VAFA divisions with 'E South' (later 'E White'), 'E Central' (later 'E Blue') and 'E East' (later 'F Section').
Starting in 2017, the VAFA has operated a women's competition in addition to the men's.[19]
At the end of the 2023 season, Division 4 was abolished after Ivanhoe and Old Paradians were accepted into the Northern Football Netball League. Starting in 2024, each section has 10 teams with the exception of Division 3, which has 11.[20]
Premiers
Men's Seniors clubs
William Buck Premier
Club | Colours | Moniker | Location | Home venue | Est. | Joined VAFA |
Premierships | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | Recent | |||||||
Collegians | Lions | Albert Park | Harry Trott Oval | 1892 | 1892 | 21 | 2023 | |
Fitzroy | Roy Boys | Fitzroy | Brunswick Street Oval | 1883 | 2009 | 1 | 2018 | |
Old Brighton | Tonners | Brighton | Brighton Beach Oval | 1921 | 1957 | 5 | 2017 | |
Old Melburnians | Redlegs | Elsternwick | Elsternwick Park | 1896 | 1920 | 15 | 2009 | |
Old Scotch | Cardinals | Camberwell | Camberwell Sports Ground | 1894 | 1921 | 12 | 1978 | |
Old Xaverians | Old Xavs | Armadale | Toorak Park | 1923 | 1923 | 20 | 2016 | |
St Bernard's | Snowdogs | Essendon | St Bernard's College | 1963 | 1963 | 10 | 2023 | |
St Kevin's Old Boys | SKOB | Kooyong | T H King Reserve | 1947 | 1947 | 7 | 2022 | |
University Blacks | Blacks | Parkville | Main Oval, Melbourne University | 1928 | 1928 | 21 | 2014 | |
University Blues | Blues | Parkville | Main Oval, Melbourne University | 1928 | 1928 | 9 | 2019 |
Premier B
Club | Colours | Moniker | Location | Home venue | Est. | Joined VAFA |
Premierships | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | Recent | |||||||
Beaumaris | Sharks | Beaumaris | Banksia Reserve | 1962 | 1995 | 5 | 2016 | |
Caulfield Grammarians | Fields | Caulfield North | Glenhuntly Oval | 1920 | 1920 | 10 | 2019 | |
De La Salle | DLSOC | Malvern | Waverley Park | 1955 | 1955 | 11 | 2003 | |
Old Camberwell | Wellers | Balwyn North | Gordon Barnard Reserve | 1960 | 1960 | 6 | 2007 | |
Old Geelong | OGs | South Yarra | Como Park | 1954 | 1954 | 6 | 2016 | |
Old Haileyburians | Bloods | Caulfield South | Princes Park | 1925 | 1961 | 9 | 2022 | |
Old Ivanhoe | Hoers | Ivanhoe | Chelsworth Park | 1929 | 1964 | 8 | 2023 | |
Old Trinity | T's | Bulleen | Daley Oval | 1923 | 1954 | 7 | 1999 | |
St Bedes/Mentone Tigers | Tigers | Mentone | Mentone Reserve | 1992 | 1993 | 4 | 2008 | |
Williamstown CYMS | CYs | Williamstown | Fearon Reserve | 1886 | 1983 | 5 | 2019 |
Premier C
Club | Colours | Moniker | Location | Home venue | Est. | Joined VAFA |
Premierships | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | Recent | |||||||
AJAX | Jackas | St Kilda | Gary Smorgon Oval | 1957 | 1957 | 6 | 2011 | |
Glen Eira | Gryphons | Carnegie | Packer Park | 1999 | 1999 | 1 | 2023 | |
Hampton Rovers | Rovers | Hampton | Boss James Reserve | 1933 | 1933 | 9 | 2014 | |
Marcellin Old Collegians | Eagles | Bulleen | Oval 1, Marcellin College | 1971 | 1971 | 9 | 2008 | |
Mazenod Old Collegians | Nodders | Glen Waverley | Central Reserve | 1978 | 1989 | 5 | 2016 | |
Monash Blues | Blues | Clayton | Frearson Oval | 1962 | 1962 | 5 | 2022 | |
Old Carey | Panthers | Bulleen | Carey Sports Complex | 1954 | 1954 | 4 | 2010 | |
Parkdale Vultures | Vultures | Parkdale | Gerry Green Reserve | 1991 | 1991 | 2 | 2012 | |
PEGS | Bombers | Keilor East | Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School | 1970 | 1984 | 4 | 2022 |
Division 1
Club | Colours | Moniker | Location | Home venue | Est. | Joined VAFA |
Premierships | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | Recent | |||||||
Kew | Bears | Kew | J.J. Higgins Reserve | 1900 | 1949 | 9 | 2015 | |
Oakleigh | Krushers | Oakleigh | W.A. Scammell Reserve | 1991 | 1991 | 5 | 2007 | |
Old Peninsula | Pirates | Mount Eliza | Peninsula College | 1980 | 1980 | 0 | − | |
Old Yarra Cobras | Cobras | Bulleen | Koonung Park | 2022 | 2022 | 0 | − | |
Ormond | Monders | Ormond | E.E. Gunn Reserve | 1932 | 1932 | 14 | 2018 | |
Parkside | Devils | Alphington | Pitcher Park | 1938 | 2015 | 6 | 2023 | |
Prahran | Two Blues | Toorak | Toorak Park | 1886 | 2011 | 2 | 2017 | |
Preston | Bullants | Preston | Ruthven Reserve | 2009 | 2009 | 2 | 2019 | |
Therry Penola | Lions | Oak Park | JP Fawkner Reserve | 1977 | 1977 | 4 | 2013 | |
UHS-VU | Vultures | Parkville | Brens Oval | 1932 | 1933 | 6 | 2018 | |
West Brunswick | Magpies | Parkville | Ransford Oval | 1932 | 1959 | 8 | 2015 |
Division 2
Club | Colours | Moniker | Location | Home venue | Est. | Joined VAFA |
Premierships | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | Recent | |||||||
Brunswick | NOBS | Brunswick | Alec Gillon Oval | 1932 | 1963 | 3 | 2012 | |
Bulleen Templestowe | Bullants | Templestowe Lower | Ted Ajani Reserve | 1975 | 1975 | 6 | 2012 | |
Elsternwick | Wickers | Elsternwick | Graham Holmes Oval, Elsternwick Park | 1914 | 1947 | 7 | 2023 | |
Hawthorn | Hawks | Hawthorn East | Rathmines Road Reserve | 1954 | 1995 | 1 | 1998 | |
Melbourne High School Old Boys | Unicorns | South Yarra | Melbourne High School | 1928 | 1928 | 10 | 2009 | |
South Melbourne Districts | Bloods | Albert Park | Lindsay Hassett Oval | 1912 | 2000 | 4 | 2022 | |
St Mary's Salesian | Saints | Glen Iris | Ferndale Park | 2008 | 2008 | 0 | − | |
Wattle Park | Animals | Burwood | Bennettswood Sports Ground | 1992 | 1992 | 3 | 2002 | |
Whitefriars OC | Friars | Donvale | Whitefriars College Oval | 1986 | 1986 | 6 | 2022 |
Division 3
Colours | Club | Moniker | Location | Home venue | Est. | Joined VAFA |
Premierships | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | Recent | |||||||
Box Hill North | Demons | Box Hill North | Elgar Park | 1983 | 2002 | 0 | − | |
Canterbury | Cobras | Canterbury | Canterbury Sports Ground | 1881 | 2014 | 1 | 2016 | |
Eley Park | Sharks | Box Hill | Whitehorse Reserve | 1992 | 1994 | 1 | 1999 | |
La Trobe University | Trobers | Bundoora | Tony Sheehan Oval, | 1967 | 1970 | 7 | 2022 | |
Masala Dandenong | Tigers | Dandenong | Fotheringham Reserve | 2013 | 2013 | 0 | − | |
North Brunswick | Bulls | Brunswick | Allard Park | 1970 | 1971 | 4 | 2023 | |
Power House | Slushies | St Kilda | Ross Gregory Oval | 1940 | 1940 | 5 | 2006 | |
Richmond Central | Snakes | Richmond | Kevin Bartlett Reserve | 1987 | 1987 | 1 | 1994 | |
St John's OC | JOCS | Doveton | Thomas Carroll Reserve | 1991 | 1991 | 2 | 2011 | |
Swinburne University | Razorbacks | Hawthorn | St. James Park | 1996 | 1996 | 1 | 2003 |
Thirds Only
Colours | Club | Moniker | Location | Home venue | Est. | Joined VAFA |
Premierships | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | Recent | |||||||
Chadstone | Synners | Chadstone | Jordan Reserve | 1983 | 1987 | 0 | − | |
Mentone | Panthers | Cheltenham | Le Page Park | 1968 | 1968 | 1 | 1990 |
Women's Seniors clubs
William Buck Premier
Colours | Club | Nickname | Location | Home Ground | Coach | Web Page | Formed | Joined League |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Caulfield Grammarians | Fields | Caulfield North | Glenhuntly Oval | Damien Keeping | Official Site | 1920 | 1920 | |
Coburg | Lions | Coburg | Piranha Park | 2021 | 2023 | |||
Collegians | Lions | Albert Park | Harry Trott Oval | Domenic Lucarelli | Official Site | 1892 | 1892 | |
Fitzroy | Roy Girls | Fitzroy North | Brunswick Street Oval | Michael Harper | Official Site | 1883 | 2009 | |
Kew | Bears | Kew | J.J. Higgins Reserve | Jess Burger | Official Site | 1900 | 1949 | |
Melbourne University | Mugars | Parkville | Melbourne Uni, Main Oval | Erini Gianakopolous | Official Site | 1996 | 2017 | |
Old Scotch | Stars | Camberwell | Camberwell Sports Ground | Dean Anderson | Official Site | 1894 | 1921 | |
Old Xaverians | Old Xavs | Armadale | Toorak Park | Scott Gowans | Official site | 1923 | 1923 | |
St Kevins | Saints | Kooyong | T H King Reserve | Tom Purcell | Official Site | 1947 | 1947 | |
West Brunswick | Magpies | Parkville | McAlister Oval | Marnee Silver | Official Site | 1932 | 1959 |
Premier B
Colours | Club | Nickname | Location | Home Ground | Coach | Web page | Formed | Joined League |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aquinas | Bloods | Ringwood | Aquinas College | Jacob Kogelman | Official Site | 1981 | 1987 | |
Brunswick | Renegades | Brunswick | Alec Gillon Oval | Leonie Hennessey | Official Site | 1932 | 1963 | |
Hawthorn | Hawks | Hawthorn East | Rathmines Road Reserve | Simon Brownhill | Official Site | 1954 | 1995 | |
Mazenod | Nodders | Glen Waverley | Central Reserve | Paul Deegan | Official Site | 1978 | 1989 | |
Monash Blues | Blues | Clayton | Frearson Oval | Shane Chapman | Official Site | 1962 | 1962 | |
North Brunswick | Bulls | Brunswick | Allard Park | Bill Emeron | Official Site | 1970 | 1971 | |
Old Yarra Cobras | Cobras | Doncaster | Doncaster Reserve | Michael Wines | Official Site | 1993 | 1993 | |
Richmond Centrals | Snakes | Richmond | Loughnan Oval | Jess Faithfull | Official Site | 1987 | 1987 | |
St Bede's Mentone | Tigers | Mentone | Mentone Reserve | Belinda Ousley | Official Site | 1972 | 1972 |
Division 1
Colours | Club | Nickname | Location | Home ground | Coach | Web Page | Formed | Joined League |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Beaumaris | Sharks | Beaumaris | Banksia Reserve | Darryl Berendorff | Official Site | 1962 | 1995 | |
Hampton Rovers | Rovers | Hampton | Boss James Reserve | Brent Ward | Official Site | 1933 | 1933 | |
Marcellin Old Collegians | Eagles | Bulleen | Oval 1, Marcellin College | Luke Boyd | Official Site | 1971 | 1971 | |
Old Brighton | Tonners | Brighton | Brighton Beach Oval | Andrew Gant | Official Site | 1921 | 1957 | |
Old Camberwell | Wellers | Balwyn North | Gordon Barnard Reserve | Alex McKenzie | Official Site | 1960 | 1960 | |
Old Geelong | OGs | South Yarra | Como Park | Jack Crameri | Official Site | 1954 | 1954 | |
Old Haileybury | Hearts | Caulfield South | Princes Park Reserve | Sean Brady | Official Site | 1925 | 1961 | |
St Mary's Salesian | Saints | Glen Iris | Ferndale Reserve | Official Site | 2008 | 2008 |
Division 2
Colours | Club | Nickname | Location | Home Ground | Coach | Web Page | Formed | Joined League |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Albert Park | Falcons | Albert Park | Beaurepaire Pavilion | Official Site | 1954 | 1954 | ||
Ivanhoe | Ivies | Ivanhoe | Ivanhoe Park | Ian Callahan | Official Site | 1910 | 1934 | |
MCC Women's | Demons | Beaumaris | Beaumaris Secondary College | Rebecca Ticli, Russell Robertson | Official Site | 2018 | 2018 | |
Old Melburnians | Redlegs | Elsternwick | Elsternwick Park | Tim McLardy | Official Site | 1896 | 1920 | |
Old Trinity Grammarians | T's | Bulleen | Daley Oval, Trinity Grammar Playing Fields | Official Site | 1923 | 1954 | ||
Parkdale Vultures | Vultures | Parkdale | Gerry Green Reserve | Official Site | 1991 | 1991 | ||
Therry Penola | Lions | Oak Park | John Pascoe Fawkner Reserve | Dean Boden | Official Site | 1977 | 1977 | |
Williamstown CYMS | CYs | Williamstown | Fearon Reserve | Lawrence Henry | Official Site | 1886 | 1983 |
Division 3
Colours | Club | Nickname | Location | Home Ground | Coach | Web Page | Formed | Joined League |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AJAX | Jackas | Albert Park | Gary Smorgon Oval | Joe Nankin | Official Site | 1957 | 1957 | |
Bulleen-Templestowe | Bullants | Templestowe Lower | Ted Ajani Reserve | Steve Jackson | Official Site | 1975 | 1975 | |
De La Salle Old Collegians | DLSOC | Malvern | Waverley Park | David Madigan | Official Site | 1955 | 1955 | |
Glen Eira | Gryphons | Carnegie | Packer Park | Olivia Crowe | Official Site | 1999 | 1999 | |
Oakleigh | Krushers | Oakleigh South | W. A. Scammel Reserve | Geoff Fortune | Official Site | 1991 | 1991 | |
Parkside Football Club | Devils | Alphington | Pitcher Park | Official Site | 1938 | 2015 | ||
UHS-VU | Vultures | Parkville | Brens Oval | Tegan Hamilton | Official Site | 1932 | 1933 | |
Whitefriars | Friars | Donvale | Whitefriars College Oval | Peter Harrison | Official Site | 1986 | 1986 |
Division 4
Colours | Club | Nickname | Location | Home Ground | Coach | Web Page | Formed | Joined League |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Canterbury | Cobras | Surrey Hills | Canterbury Sports Ground | Dwayne Stangherlin | Official Site | 1881 | 2014 | |
Elsternwick | Wickers | Elsternwick | Graham Holmes Oval, Elsternwick Park | Official Site | 1914 | 1947 | ||
La Trobe University | Trobers | Bundoora | La Trobe University | Jaryd Coghill | Official Site | 1967 | 1970 | |
Old Carey | Panthers | Bulleen | Carey Sports Complex | Official Site | 1954 | 1954 | ||
Power House | Slushies | Albert Park | Ross Gregory Oval | Warde Elliot | Official Site | 1940 | 1940 | |
Preston Bullants | Bullants | Preston | W. R. Ruthven V.C. Reserve | Doug Hamilton | Official Site | 2009 | 2009 | |
South Melbourne Districts | Bloods | Albert Park | Lindsay Hassett Oval | Alan Chung | Official Site | 1912 | 2000 | |
Wattle Park | Animals | Burwood | Bennettswood Sports Ground | Mel Dell'Olio | Official Site | 1992 | 1992 |
Former clubs
Years in VAFA | Fate | |
---|---|---|
Albanvale | 1989-92 | Moved to WRFL |
Alphington | 1934-83 | Folded |
AMP Society | 1963-81 | Changed name to Balaclava |
ANZ Bank Football Club | 1950-69 | Merged with Albert Park in 1970 |
Army Apprentices | 1966-70 | Folded |
Assumption OC | 1964-82 | Were part of Combined Country Colleges from 1978-81. Merged with Prahran in 2010 to form Prahran Assumption |
Australian Postal institute | 1965 | Folded |
Balaclava | 1982-90 | Changed name to Glen Huntly in 1991, later became part of Glen Eira |
Balwyn | 1946-55 | Moved to ESFL (now in EFNL) |
Balwyn Combined | 1993-96 | Folded |
Banyule | 1979-2014 | Moved to NFNL |
Bellfield | 1950-65 | Moved to ESCFL, folded in 1993 |
Bentleigh | 2000-10 | Moved to SFNL |
Bentleigh Districts | 1929-37 | Moved to CODFL, folded in 1956 |
Beverley | 1898-1915 | Folded |
Beverley Hills | 1972-81 | Moved to EFNL, changed name to Doncaster East in 1990 |
Black Rock | 1922, 1927-30 | Moved to YCWFL, now in SFNL |
Bloods | 1987-98 | Merged with Old Brighton in 1996 to form Old Brighton Bloods, changed name to Old Brighton in 1998. |
Boronia Park | 1990-94 | Moved to SFNL then YRFNL before folding in 2001 |
Boroondara | 1897, 1903-04 | Merged with Hawthorn in 1905 |
Brighton | 1892-1907 | Moved to VFA |
Brighton | 1952-58 | |
Brighton TSOB | 1930-40 | Folded |
Brightonvale | 1926-39 | Folded |
Brunswick | 1926-94, 1999-2003 | Changed name to Brunswick Power and moved to WRFL |
Bulleen United | 1975-95 | Merged with Canterbury North Balwyn to form Bulleen Cobras (now Manningham Cobras) |
Burwood | 1928-36 | Folded |
Camberwell | 1992-95 | Folded |
Canterbury North Balwyn | 1993-95 | Merged with Bulleen United to form Bulleen Cobras (now Manningham Cobras) |
Canterbury United Churches | 1931-32 | Folded |
Carlton Districs | 1909-15 | Folded |
Carnegie | 1935-38 | Moved to CODFL then SFNL before folding in 1999 |
Cassie | 1964-65 | Folded |
Caulfield | 1884-1915 | Ended up in Federal Football League, folded in 1976 |
Caulfield City | 1924-25 | Moved to ESFL, then CODFL before folding in 1958 |
Celtic | 1900-02 | Folded |
Chirnside Park | 1990-99 | Moved to EFNL |
Clayton | 1979-89 | Merged with Waverley to form Waverley Amateurs in 1989. |
Coburg | 1935-87 | Folded |
Collingwood District | 1906-15 | Moved to VJFL/VFL seconds, folded in 1938 |
Commercial Bank | 1959-66 | Folded |
Commonwealth Bank | 1947-94 | Merged with State Savings Bank to form State Commonwealth Bank |
Coolaroo Rovers | 1980 | Moved to Panton Hill Football League, folded in 1988 |
Combined Country Colleges | 1978-81 | Separated in 1981 |
Dandenong KSP | 1930-32 | Folded |
Dookie Longerenong | 1970-74 | Folded |
Doveton SJOC | 1981-95 | Changed name to Doveton Eagles, moved to SFNL |
East Caulfield | 1947-51 | Moved to ESFL, folded in 1962 |
East Malvern | 1929-64 | Moved to SFNL, folded in 1985 |
Edlington | 1892 | Folded |
Elwood | 1922-23 | Folded |
ES & A Bank | 1932-35, 1952-69 | Absorbed by ANZ Bank |
ES & A Bank/National Bank | 1936-37 | Temporary merger with National Bank |
Fairfield | 1936-73 | Moved to ESCFL, SFNL, and NFNL before folding in 1996 |
Fawkner | 1973-95 | Merged with Moomba Park to form Fawkner Park in 1996, now part of Northern Saints in EDFL |
Fitzroy Districts | 1904-05 | |
Fitzroy Juniors | 1912-15 | Folded |
Fitzroy Reds | 1998-2008 | Changed name to Fitzroy in 2009 |
Flinders Naval Base | 1927-28 | Moved to MPFL, FFL, and NPL, folded in 1975 |
Footscray Districts | 1892 | Folded |
Footscray TSOB | 1932-90 | Folded |
Gardenvale-Middle Brighton | 1926 | Moved to ESCFL, merged with St Kevin's Ormond in 1992 to form Caulfield Bears |
Gardiner | 1932 | Folded |
Geelong Amateurs | 1926-40, 1947-82 | Moved to GDFL, now in Bellarine Football League |
Glenhuntly | 1926-73 | Folded |
Glenhuntly | 1991-98 | Merged with St Kilda South Caulfield and St Kilda CBC Old Boys to form Glen Eira in 1999 |
Glenroy | 1974-77 | |
GTV 9 | 1986 | Folded |
Hampton | 1923-27 | Merged with various clubs to form Sandringham in VFA |
Hawthorn | 1954-57 | |
Hawthorn | 1902-13 | Moved to VFA in 1914 |
Heatherton | 1975-89 | Moved to ESCFL, now in SFNL |
Heidelberg West | 1939-40 | Moved to NFNL |
Huntingdale | 1956 | Folded |
Insurance Companies' Social Clubs | 1954-58 | Folded |
Ivanhoe | 1932-2023 | Moved to NFNL |
Kew Districts | 1926 | Folded |
Kingsville | 1927-35 | Moved to WRFL and changed name to Yarraville in 1996, now part of Yarravile-Seddon |
Kontias | 1989-91 | Folded |
Kooyong | 1963-65 | Folded |
La Trobe University Reds | 1971-1977 | Folded |
Leopold | 1898-1915 | Folded |
Malvern | 1896, 1933-64 | Changed name to Tooronga Malvern in 1964 |
Manningham Cobras | 1996-2022 | Merged with Yarra Old Grammarians to form Old Yarra Cobras |
Melbourne Shipping Companies | 1922 | Folded |
Melbourne Swimming Club | 1920-23 | Folded |
Monash Whites | 1964-75,1971-2001 | Became Club XVIII team of Monash Blues in 2001 |
Moreland | 1949-51 | Folded |
Mt Carmel OC | 1936-40 | Folded |
Mt Lilydale | 1997-2018 | Merged with Croydon North to form Croydon North MLOC, moved to EFNL |
Murrumbeena | 1923-62 | Folded |
Myer | 1937-54 | Folded |
National Bank | 1932-38, 1954-79 | Folded |
Newlands Coburg | 1994-96 | Folded |
North Alphington | 1948-52 | Folded |
Nunawading | 1894-96 | Folded |
Oakleigh | 1908-11, 1927-28 | Folded |
Oakleigh Clayton | 2003-06 | Merger between Oakleigh Districts and Clayton to form an U/19s side. Disbanded after 2006. |
Old Haileybury-Old Trinity | 1928-35 | Folded |
Old Eltham Collegians | 1986-2019 | Moved to NFNL |
Old Paradians | 1929-2023 | Moved to NFNL |
Old Scotch Collegians | 1894-95 | Folded |
Olinda | 1893 | Folded |
Parkdale | 1934-54 | Moved to FFL, then SFNL. Rejoined VAFA in 2003 after merging with Mentone Vultures to form Parkdale Vultures |
Parkville | 1899 | Folded |
Pascoe Vale | 1927-28, 1940 | Moved to VFL Sub-District football league, now in EDFL |
Patricians | 1965-69 | Folded |
Pharmacy College | 1962-65 | Folded |
Point Cook | 2010-17 | Moved to WRFL |
Port Colts | 1987-89 | Folded |
Port Melbourne | 1956-59 | Folded |
Port Rovers | 1903-08 | Folded |
Postal Institute | 1965 | Folded |
Prahran | 1999-2010 | Merged with Assumption Old Collegians to form Prahran Assumption in 2011 |
Prahran-Caulfield | 2007 | |
Preston | 1954-69 | Folded |
Preston Marist Brothers Old Boys | 1983-93 | Folded |
Princes Hill | 1979-81 | Folded |
RAAF Cadets | 1964-65 | Folded |
Reservoir Old Boys | 1965-77 | Folded |
Rupertswood | 2000-2012 | Moved to RDFL, now in EDFL |
Salesian OC | 1989-2007 | Merged with St Mary's at the start of 2008 |
Sandringham | 1921-28 | |
Sandringham B | 1928 | |
Sandringham Juniors | 1926-27 | |
South Camberwell | 1937-40 | Folded |
South Caulfield | 1926-40 | Moved to CYMSFA, then FFL. Merged with Brighton to form Brighton-Caulfield in VFA. Folded in 1987. |
Southern Dragons | 2013-14 | Moved to SFL |
South Melbourne City | 1954-59 | Folded |
South Melbourne Juniors | 1900 | Folded |
South Mornington | 2006-2019 | Moved to SFNL |
South St Kilda | 1892-1899 | Folded |
South Yarra | 1897-1921 | |
Southbank | 1994-98 | Changed name to Prahran in 1999 |
St Andrews-Coburg | 1986-95 | Folded |
St Colomb's | 1953 | Folded |
St Francis Xavier | 1899 | Original Xavier College alumni club. Successor, Old Xaverians, formed in 1923. |
St Francis Xavier OC | 2007-2019 | Moved to SFNL, changed name to Narre South Saints |
St Ignatius's | 1900-02, 1932-34 | Folded |
St Jude's | 1892-1893 | Folded |
St Kilda CBC Old Boys | 1958-1991 | Merged with Glen Huntly and St Kilda-South Caulfield to form Glen Eira in 1999. |
St Leonard's | 1986-89 | Folded |
St Mary's | 1990-2007 | Merged with Salesian OC at the start of 2008 |
St Mary's | 1892-98 | Folded |
St Patrick's Ballarat OC | 1939-40, 1951-55, 1964-75 | Now part of Brunswick NOBSPC |
St Patricks Mentone | 1991-2000 | Folded |
St Paul's (Ascot Vale) | 1926-40 | Folded |
St Peter's Clayton | 1991-92 | |
St Pius's | 1979-82 | Folded |
St Andrew's (Brighton) | 1949-51 | |
St Kilda-South Caulfield | 1992-98 | Merged with Glen Huntly and St Kilda CBC Old Boys to form Glen Eira in 1999. |
St Patrick's Monivae | 1976 | Folded |
State Commonwealth Bank | 1991-94 | Changed name to Southbank in 1994 |
State Electricity Commission | 1947 | Folded |
State Savings Bank | 1927-90 | Merged with Commonwealth Bank to form State Commonwealth Bank, now part of Prahran Assumption |
Surrey Hills | 1928-32 | Moved to ESFL, then CFGFL, then EFNL. Merged with East Camberwell to form Surrey Park. |
Teachers College | 1920-57 | Folded |
Thomastown | 1975-2000 | Moved to DVFL (now NFNL) |
Thornbury | 1973-83 | Moved to NFNL, merged with Reservoir Rovers in 1988 to form Thornbury Rovers, folded in 1991. |
Thornbury Cougars | 1996-99 | Folded |
Toorak Grovesnor | 1892-94 | Folded |
Tooronga-Malvern | 1964-72 | Folded |
Waltham | 1895-97 | Folded |
Waverley Amateurs | 1989-90 | Moved to EFNL, now part of Waverley Blues. |
Werribee Districts | 1998-2013 | Moved to WRFL |
West Hawthorn | 1927-33 | Folded |
Windsor | 1894-1898 | Folded |
Wyndham Suns | 2014 | U/19s only, moved to WRFL at the end of 2014 |
Yarra Old Grammarians | 1993-2022 | Merged with Manningham Cobras to form Old Yarra Cobras |
YMCA | 1892-93 | Folded |
References
- Schools & Colleges: Public Schools and Football, Table Talk, (Thursday, 26 April 1923),p.24.
- Metropolitan Juniors Football Association, The Independent, (Saturday, 7 May 1892), p.3.
- A Brief History of the VAFA Victorian Amateur Football Association
- Metropolitan Junior Football Association The Australasian 1 October 1892 page 18
- [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/241498857 Football: Amateur Players: Move by Juniors The Herald (Melbourne) 24 April 1912 page 5
- Riley, M., "Class and Warfare: The MAFA and the VFL Seconds", Boyles Football Photos, 4 April 2014.
- The Sporting World: A Look Ahead The Age 12 March 1919 page 11
- Smith, W.H. & Ogilvey, A., The Football Season (Letter to the Editor) The Age 13 March 1919 page 6
- In late 1915, the Metropolitan Amateur Football Association announced that it had suspended its competition, and would not resume the competition until the war had ended: Old Boy, "District Football: The League's Preparations", The Argus, (Wednesday, 8 December 1915), p.13.
- Football: Metropolitan Amateur Association, The Argus, (Friday, 26 March 1920), p.11.
- Amateur Association: Change of Name Adopted The Age 25 October 1932 page 10
- de Lacy, H., "Amateurs knock-out title on two grounds", The Sporting Globe, (Wednesday, 2 June 1954), p.18).
- "Late burst saves State amateurs", The Argus, (Tuesday, 15 June 1954), p.13.
- Amateurs: Third Term Burst Wins, The Age, (Tuesday, 18 June 1957), p.14.
- "Football has Trial TV Run . . But League says 'No!'", The Argus, (Wednesday, 27 June 1956), p.22.
- Inter-State Football in TV Week-end Cover,The Age Radio/TV Supplement, (14-20 June 1957), p.1.].
- Monday Television: ABV-Channel 2 (2:15), The Age Radio/TV Supplement, (14-20 June 1957), p.9.].
- Amateurs Conclude, The Age, (Monday, 24 June 1940), p.6.
- "VAFA women's competition could feature 30 teams in debut season as interest skyrockets". Herald Sun.
- "VAFA set to undergo competition restructure in 2024". Herald Sun.