Victorian Blind Football League
The Victorian Blind Football League (VBFL) is an Australian rules football competition for people with vision impairment. As of 2023, it has 45 players in three different teams.[1]
| Sport | Australian rules football |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2018 |
| Administrator | AFL Victoria |
| No. of teams | 3 |
| Country | Australia |
| Headquarters | Action Indoor Sports Tullamarine, Melbourne |
| Most recent champion(s) | Hawthorn Brown (1st premiership) |
| Sponsor(s) | Energy Safe Victoria |
| Related competitions |
The competition is mix-gendered, and open to people with different levels of vision.[2]
History
The VBFL was founded in 2019 with four teams that were not linked to AFL clubs − Bombers, Bulldogs, Hawks and Saints.[2] Hawthorn and St Kilda formally entered the competition in 2019, with Hawthorn winning the grand final in its inaugural season.[3][4]
The Bulldogs and the Bombers did not compete in the 2023 season, with Hawthorn instead entering two teams - Hawthorn Gold and Hawthorn Brown.
Rule modifications
The VBFL includes a specifically modified football that features a continuous beeping device to assist players tracking the ball. Signage and flickering lights are centrally placed behind the goals to assist players with accuracy when kicking for goal.[1]
Player classifications
Players fall into three different classifications:
- Classification A: Players who are totally blind
- Classification B: Players who have limited vision but use hearing as their primary tracking sense
- Classification C: Players who have limited vision but use vision as their primary tracking sense
Players wear different-coloured wristbands depending on their classification, which assists umpires to officiate matches.[2]
Teams
Current teams
| Team | Colours | Moniker | First season | Total premierships | Years of premierships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawthorn Gold |  |
Hawks, Gold | 2023 | 0 | − |
| Hawthorn Brown |  |
Hawks, Brown | 2023 | 1 | 2023 |
| St Kilda |  |
Saints | 2019 | 1 | 2021 |
Former teams
| Team | Colours | Moniker | First season | Last season | Total premierships | Years of premierships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bombers |  |
Bombers | 2019 | 2022 | 0 | − |
| Bulldogs |  |
Bulldogs | 2019 | 2022 | 1 | 2022 |
| Hawthorn | |
Hawks | 2019 | 2022 | 1 | 2019 |
| Hawks |  |
Hawks | 2018 | 2018 | 0 | − |
| Saints | |
Saints | 2018 | 2018 | 0 | − |
List of premiers
No VBFL team has ever won a premiership more than once, while the Bulldogs have made the most grand finals with three.
| Season | Premiers | Runners-up | Score | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Hawthorn | Bulldogs | 13.8 (86) d. 12.7 (79) | 12 October 2019[4] |
| 2021 | St Kilda | Bulldogs | 135 d. 71 | 4 December 2021[5] |
| 2022 | Bulldogs | St Kilda | 68 d. 58 | 3 September 2022[5] |
| 2023 | Hawthorn Brown | Hawthorn Gold | 133 d. 106 | 9 September 2023 |
References
- "VFL/W to celebrate Inclusion Round". afl.com.au.
- "The all-inclusive AFL Blind is giving the vision impaired an opportunity to play the game they love". ABC News.
- "Cebby Johnson: Photographic self portrait wins Frankston Arts Centre Open Exhibition Competition". Herald Sun.
- "A historic day for Hawthorn's AFL Blind team". Hawthorn Football Club.
- "SAINTS AND BULLDOGS TO MEET IN AFL BLIND GRAND FINAL". AFL Victoria.