Victorian Women's Football League Explained

Victorian Women's Football League
Last Season:2016 VWFL season
Pixels:150px
Sport:Australian rules football
Folded:2016
Replaced:VFL Women's
Headquarters:Melbourne, Australia
Inaugural:1981
Teams:31 (final season)
Champion:Deer Park
Champ Season:2016
Most Successful Club:Scorpions (11)
Country:Australia
Tv:C31
Website:Victorian Women's Football League

The Victorian Women's Football League (VWFL) was the oldest and largest Australian rules football league for women in the world, consisting of 47 clubs from Victoria, Australia across seven divisions with a total of over 1,000 players.

History

Early years

The Victorian Women's Football League was formed in 1981 with four teams competing at open level.

In 1995, Sal Rees caused controversy when she nominated for the 1995 AFL Draft: the nomination was subsequently voided, with the AFL amending its Draft rules to prevent any repeat of this incident.

The VWFL grew quickly, increasing dramatically the number of players and participating teams with a Division 3 added in 2001.

In 2002, VWFL player Debbie Lee made headlines for pushing to play against men in the made-for-television team the Hammerheads. She has commented, "My whole idea with the Hammerheads was to promote women's football. At no point in time did I really think I was going to play against the men, and frankly it wouldn't really have been smart for me to do that. My whole idea was to cause a bit of activity."

An U17 Youth Girls Competition was established by Football Victoria in 2004, primarily to provide a pathway to the VWFL. This was following legal action having been taken against them in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (following a complaint to the Equal Opportunity Commission) by junior players Penny Cula-Reid, Emily Stayner, and Helen Taylor.

In May 2004, the first VWFL game was played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), with the Melbourne Uni Mugars defeating St Albans Spurs on Mother's Day. A second game was played at the MCG later in the same year, featuring the Mugars and St Kilda Sharks reserves teams.

A quarter-century of competition

In 2005, the VWFL celebrated its 25th season, and created a reserves competition for Division 1.

In 2006, the league posted a $6000 loss, however this was turned around in 2007 with a $19000 profit being posted at the end of 2007. 2007 saw five divisions (Premier seniors & reserves, North West, South East & Country) and 27 teams (from 20 clubs), and culminated in an Australian crowd record for women's Australian rules football at the 2007 Grand Final held on 19 August at the Preston City Oval in Melbourne. Two finals matches were also held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the first time.

The work done by the VWFL Media Manager Leesa Catto was instrumental in increasing media coverage across the competition. A significant partnership was negotiated with the Leader News group and weekly coverage was captured across the Melbourne Metropolitan area. Events like the participation of two VWFL players Shannon McFerran and Daisy Pearce in the E. J. Whitten Legends Game also helped lift the profile of the league.[1]

The VWFL integrated into AFL Victoria in 2013.[2]

Dissolution

At the end of the 2016 season, it was announced that the VWFL would be dissolved, with the forty-seven clubs and sixty teams of the VWFL joining ten Victorian community leagues in 2017, along with additional clubs and teams from a further eighty clubs that had expressed interest in joining women's Australian football competitions.[3] [4] AFL Victoria would retain management of the ten-team VFL Women's league, with the remainder of the expected 150 teams to play in regional leagues.[5]

Final clubs

Premier Division

ClubColoursNicknameHome GroundEst.Years in VWFLVWFL PremiershipsFate
TotalMost Recent
BendigoThunderKangaroo Flat Oval, Kangaroo Flat20112011-201622013Moved to NFNL
Deer ParkLionsJohn McLeod Reserve, Deer Park19261981-201612016Moved to
Eastern Devils (formerly East Burwood)DevilsMulgrave Reserve, Mulgrave19991990-201622013Moved to SEWF
MugarsMain Oval, University of Melbourne, Parkville19961997-201652005Moved to NFNL
Port Melbourne ColtsColtsJ.L. Murphy Reserve, Port Melbourne19572014-201612015Moved to SEWF
St Kilda SharksSharksPeanut Farm Reserve, St Kilda19921992-201642014Moved to SEWF

Division 1

ClubColoursNicknameHome GroundEst.Years in VWFLVWFL PremiershipsFate
TotalMost Recent
DarebinFalconsA.H. Capp Reserve, Preston19901990-2016122015Moved to NFNL
Diamond CreekCreekersC.T. Barling Reserve, Reservoir20022002-201532012Moved to NFNL
Endeavour HillsEaglesBarry Simon Reserve, Endeavour Hills20112015-20160-Moved to SEWF
KewBearsVictoria Park, Kew20062014-201622016Moved to NFNL
La Trobe UniversityTrobersTony Sheehan Oval, La Trobe University, Bundoora19672009-201612011Moved to NFNL
Pascoe ValePanthersRaeburn Reserve, Pascoe Vale19092013-201612013Moved to NFNL
RedanLionsWestern Oval, Ballarat Central18712014-20160-Moved to
Whitehorse Pioneers Pioneers (formerly Suns)Springfield Park, Box Hill North19542014-20160-Moved to NFNL

Division 2

ClubColoursNicknameHome GroundEst.Years in VWFLVWFL PremiershipsFate
TotalMost Recent
Chirnside ParkPanthersKimberley Reserve, Chirnside Park19782011-20160-Moved to SEWF
CranbourneEaglesFrenken Homes Oval, Clyde North18892009-201612015Moved to SEWF
MordiallocBloodhoundsBen Kavanagh Reserve, Mordialloc18912014-201612002Moved to SFNL
SeafordTigerettesRF Miles Recreation Reserve, Seaford19212013-201612014Moved to SEWF
South MorangLionsMill Park Lakes Recreation Reserve, South Morang19542014-201612015Moved to NFNL
St Kilda SharksSharksPeanut Farm Reserve, St Kilda19921992-201642014Moved to SEWF
SunburyLionsClarke Oval, Sunbury18791981-201632015Moved to
Western SpursSpursHenry Turner Memorial Reserve, Footscray19931993-201632016Moved to NFNL

Division 3

ClubColoursNicknameHome GroundEst.Years in VWFLVWFL PremiershipsFate
TotalMost Recent
AJAXJackasGary Smorgon Oval, St Kilda19572015-20160-Moved to VAFA
BayswaterWatersMarie Wallace Bayswater Park, Bayswater18952012-20160-Moved to
BrunswickRenegadesA.G. Gillon Oval, Brunswick19632014-20160-Moved to VAFA
FitzroyRoy GirlsWT Peterson Oval, Fitzroy North18832015-20160-Moved to VAFA
GippslandGalaxyTraralgon Recreation Reserve, Traralgon20152015-201622016Moved to SEWF
MugarsMain Oval, University of Melbourne, Parkville19961997-201552005Moved to NFNL
SKOBSaintsBasil Reserve, Malvern East194720160-Moved to VAFA

Goldfields

ClubColoursNicknameHome GroundEst.Years in VWFLVWFL PremiershipsFate
TotalMost Recent
Bacchus MarshCobrasMaddingley Park, Maddingley19792015-20160-Moved to
East PointDragonsWhite Flat Recreation Reserve, Ballarat Central200120160-Moved to
KynetonTigersKyneton Showgrounds, Kyneton18612015-20160-Moved to
Lake WendoureeLakersC E Brown Reserve, Wendouree199420160-Moved to
MCDFNL LionsLionsCarisbrook Recreation Reserve, Carisbrook2016201612016Disbanded

North West

ClubColoursNicknameHome GroundEst.Years in VWFLVWFL PremiershipsFate
TotalMost Recent
FitzroyRoy GirlsWT Peterson Oval, Fitzroy North18832015-20160-Moved to VAFA
Glen OrdenHawksHeathdale Reserve, Werribee197920160-In recess
JacanaJaguarsJacana Reserve, Jacana19612013-20160-Folded
Manor LakesStormHowqua Way Reserve, Manor Lakes20122014-20160-Moved to
Melton CentralBluesArnolds Creek Reserve, Melton West19962007, 2014-201612007Moved to
Roxburgh ParkMagpiesLakeside Reserve, Roxburgh Park200220160-Moved to
SheppartonBearsNotre Dame College, Emmaus Campus, Shepparton North and John Gray Oval, Mooroopna1880s20160-Moved to

South East

ClubColoursNicknameHome GroundEst.Years in VWFLVWFL PremiershipsFate
TotalMost Recent
BeaconsfieldEaglesHolm Park, Beaconsfield189020160-Moved to SEWF
Edithvale AspendaleEaglesRegents Park, Aspendale192120160-Moved to SEWF
Endeavour HillsEaglesBarry Simon Reserve, Endeavour Hills20112015-20160-Moved to SEWF
HallamHawksHallam Recreation Reserve, Hallam20122011-201622012Moved to SFNL
KnoxFalconsKnox Gardens Reserve, Wantirna South19802013-20160-Moved to VFLW
MorningtonBulldogsAlexandra Park, Mornington18882014-201612016Moved to SEWF
Mount Eliza RedlegsEmil Madsden Reserve, Mount Eliza196420160-Moved to SEWF
RosebudBudsOlympic Park, Rosebud19292015-20160-In recess
SeafordTigerettesRF Miles Recreation Reserve, Seaford19212013-201612014Moved to SEWF
Warragul ColtsColtsEastern Park, Warragul194820160-Moved to SEWF (as Warragul Industrials

Former

ClubColoursNicknameHome GroundEst.Years in VWFLVWFL PremiershipsFate
TotalMost Recent
AlbionCatsJR Parsons Reserve, Sunshine196111997In recess
AltonaVikingsJK Grant Reserve, Altona19182012-20130-In recess
Ballarat LionsLions21995Folded
Ballarat EaglesEagles11990Folded
Bell Post HillPanthersMyers Reserve, Bell Post Hill19762010-20110-In recess
BerwickWickersEdwin Flack Reserve, Berwick19032004-201622006EFNL
BraybrookBrookersPennell Reserve, Braybrook18742010-20130-In recess
CorioDevilsShell Reserve, Corio19740-In recess
Dingley CobrasCobras11983Folded
East GeelongEaglesRichmond Oval, East Geelong187912002In recess
Eastern LionsLionsFairpark Reserve, Ferntree Gully196912007EFNL
Fairfield11996Folded
Ferntree GullyKangaroosWally Tew Reserve, Ferntree Gully189212001EFNL
GeelongCheetahzWest Oval, Geelong West192612006Folded
Gembrook CockatooBrookersGembrook Recreation Reserve, Gembrook19062010-0-In recess
Gladstone Park11986Folded
Golden PointDragonsWhite Flat Recreation Reserve, Ballarat Central20140-Folded
HadfieldHawksMartin Reserve, Hadfield196112007In recess
HeidelbergTigersWarringal Park, Heidelberg1876?-200812008NFNL
KeysboroughBurrasRowley Allan Reserve, Keysborough19472010-0-In recess
LalorBloodsLalor Reserve, Lalor1955?-200712005In recess
Lalor ParkStarsJC Donath Reserve, Reservoir?-20120-Folded
MeltonBloodsMacPherson Park, Toolern Vale1879?-20090-RDFNL
MontmorencyMagpiesMontmorency Park, North Oval, Montmorency19242014-201512014NFNL
North BallaratRoostersEureka Stadium, Wendouree1882?-20130-In recess
North HeidelbergBulldogsShelley Street Reserve. Heidelberg Heights195812001In recess
Northcote Park ScorpionsScorpions101994Folded. Formerly known as Aberfeldie, Parkville, and East Brunswick Scorpions
North GeelongMagpiesOsborne Park, North Geelong18762012-201512014AFL Barwon Female Football
Parkdale VulturesVulturesGerry Green Reserve, Parkdale1991?-20100-VAFA
ParkmorePiratesFrederick Wachter Reserve, Keysborough0-Folded
ParksideMagpiesHenry Turner Reserve, Footscray189722001In recess
Port MelbourneBoroughNorth Port Oval, Port Melbourne18740VFLW
ScoresbyMagpiesScoresby Recreation Reserve, Scoresby19251981-201232013In recess
Seville RangesRangersWandin East Recreation Reserve, Wandin East20150-Folded
South MorningtonTigersCitation Oval, Mount Martha20062006-201212010In recess
St John's Old CollegiansJOCSThomas Carroll Reserve, Doveton19912010-20130-In recess
Surrey ParkPanthersSurrey Park Reserve, Box Hill199412003EFNL
WyndhamvaleFalconsWyndham Vale South Oval, Wyndham Vale19792013-20140-WFNL
Yarra Valley CougarsCougars32007Folded

Records

Division One/Premier Division

YearPremiersHelen Lambert Medal
(Best & Fairest)		Rohenna Young Medal
(Leading Goal Kicker)		Lisa Hardeman Medal
(Best on Ground in Grand Final)
2016Deer ParkEmma Grant (Bendigo)Bella Ayre 34 (Bendigo)Brooke McKinley (Deer Park)
2015DarebinDaisy Pearce (Darebin)Moana Hope 68 (St Kilda Sharks)[6] Darcy Vescio (Darebin)[7]
2014DarebinDaisy Pearce (Darebin)Moana Hope 87 (St Kilda Sharks)Daisy Pearce (Darebin)[8]
2013DarebinDaisy Pearce (Darebin)Stephanie Brown 25 (Berwick)[9] [10] Melissa Hickey (Darebin)[11]
2012Diamond CreekLou Wotton (East Burwood)Amy Catterall 39 (St Albans)[12] Kirsty Lamb (Diamond Creek)[13]
2011St AlbansDaisy Pearce (Darebin)Sarah D'Arcy 51 (East Burwood)Karen Paxman (St Albans)[14]
2010DarebinDaisy Pearce (Darebin) &<br>Lou Wotton (East Burwood)Jane Lange 52 (Darebin)Aasta O'Connor (Darebin)[15]
2009DarebinDaisy Pearce (Darebin)Brittany Grech 58 (Diamond Creek)Sarah Hammond (Darebin)[16]
2008DarebinCecilia McIntosh (Melbourne Uni)Moana Hope 63 (Darebin)Moana Hope (Darebin)[17]
2007DarebinShannon McFerran (St Albans)Moana Hope 67 (Darebin)Roi Boutsikakis (Darebin)[18]
2006DarebinShannon McFerran (St Albans)Moana Hope 74 (Darebin)Kathy Zacharopolous (Darebin)[19]
2005Melbourne UniversityShannon McFerran (St Albans)Rebecca Jennings 45 (Melbourne Uni)Daisy Pearce (Darebin)[20]
2004St AlbansMeg Hutchins (Deakin Uni)Rohenna Young 65 (St Albans)Debbie Lee (St Albans)
2003Melbourne UniversityShannon McFerran (St Albans)Nic Lalor 33 (Deakin Uni)
2002Melbourne UniversityShannon McFerran (St Albans)Anita Rhook (Parkside)
2001Parkside MagpiesDebbie Lee (St Albans)Dee Dundov (St Albans)Rohenna Young (Parkside)
2000Parkside MagpiesSharon Bonnici (St Kilda City Sharks)Nic Lalor (St Kilda City Sharks)
1999St KildaSharon Bonnici (St Kilda City Sharks)Nic Lalor (St Kilda City Sharks)
1998St KildaSharon Bonnici (St Kilda City Sharks)Nic Lalor (St Kilda City Sharks)
1997Albion CatsBronwyn Hutchinson (Fairfield)Nic Lalor (St Kilda Sharks)
1996FairfieldDebbie Lee (St Albans)Debbie Lee (St Albans)
1995Ballarat LionsDebbie Lee (St Albans)Yasmin Horsham (Ballarat Lions)
1994Northcote Park ScorpionsDebbie Lee (St Albans) &<br>Doreen de Pasquale (St Kilda City)Bronwyn Hutchinson (Ballarat Lions)
1993East Brunswick ScorpionsDebbie Lee (St Albans)
1992Ballarat LionsKris Gardiner (Fairfield)
1991East Brunswick ScorpionsBronwyn Hutchinson (Ballarat)Debbie Lee (East Brunswick)
1990Ballarat EaglesRhonda Rumler (Ballarat)
1989Parkville ScorpionsLisa Hardeman (Parkville)
1988Parkville ScorpionsDoreen de Pasquale (Ballarat) &<br>Bernie Marantelli (Parkville)
1987Parkville ScorpionsBernie Marantelli (Parkville)
1986Gladstone ParkTracey Winch (Ferntree Gully)
1985Aberfeldie ScorpionsSiobhan Taylor (Gladstone Park)
1984Aberfeldie ScorpionsMaree Cave (Broadmeadows)
1983Dingley CobrasMaree Cave (Broadmeadows)
1982Broadmeadows Scorpions
1981Broadmeadows Scorpions
Source:[21] [22]

Premier Reserves

YearPremiers Fraser Griffiths Medal Leading Goal KickerBest on Ground in Grand Final
2013Eastern DevilsGeorgia Hammond 37 (Darebin)
2012St AlbansRachael Gullo (St Albans)Lauren Chalkey 19 (Berwick)Rachael Gullo (St Albans)
2011DarebinNatasha Hardy (Sunbury)Melissa Beadles 24 (East Burwood)Gemma Anderson (Darebin)
2010Darebin Belinda Bowey (St Kilda Sharks)Rebecca Hickmont 31 (Darebin)Laura Cartledge (East Burwood)
2009DarebinRebecca Hickmont (Darebin)
2008East BurwoodKristy Baeffel (St Kilda Sharks)
2007Darebin Luisa Callegari (Darebin)
2006St Kilda SharksJessica Williams (Melbourne Uni)Ivanna Hern (St Kilda Sharks)
2005Melbourne UniversityJessica Williams (Melbourne Uni)

Premiers: North West Conference

YearPremiers Runners-Up
2016Manor LakesMelton Centrals
2013 (Division 1)BendigoNorth Geelong
2013 (Division 2)Pascoe ValeDeer Park
2012BendigoLa Trobe University
2011La Trobe UniversityNorth Ballarat
2010Sunbury Lalor Park
2009SunburyLalor Park
2008HeidelbergSunbury
2007Hadfield
2006Diamond Creek

Premiers: South East Conference

YearPremiers Runners-Up
2016MorningtonBeaconsfield
2013 (Division 2)ScoresbyKeysborough
2012HallamSt John's Old Collegians
2011HallamCranbourne
2010South Mornington Parkdale
2009Scoresby
2008ScoresbyBerwick
2007 (Division 1)Yarra Valley
2007 (Division 2)Eastern Lions
2006Berwick

Premiers: Country Conference

2007 Melton Centrals
2006 Geelong Cheetahz

Premiers: Division One

YearPremiers Runners-Up
2016KewDarebin
2015CranbourneKnox
2014St Kilda SharksMelbourne University

Premiers: Division Two

YearPremiers Runners-Up
2016VU Western SpursSeaford
2015Port Melbourne ColtsMontmorency
2014North GeelongSeaford
2005Lalor
2004St Kilda Sharks
2003Melbourne University
2002East Geelong
2001Hadfield
2000North Heidelberg
1997St Kilda Sharks

Premiers: Division Three

YearPremiers Runners-Up
2016GippslandFitzroy
2015KewDeer Park
2014WyndhamvaleWhitehorse
2006Yarra Valley
2005 (Division 1)Yarra Valley
2005 (Division 2)Diamond Creek
2004Berwick
2003Surrey Park
2002Mordialloc
2001Ferntree Gully

Premiers: Division Four

YearPremiers Runners-Up
2015South MorangBrunswick
2014MontmorencyGolden Point

VWFL Life Members

2009 Leesa Catto
2009 Bron McGorlick
2008 Kerryn Stephen
2006 Chyloe Kurdas
2005 Di Smith
2004 Belinda Bowey
2003 Sally Rees, Rohenna Young
2002 Debbie Lee, Kerry Saunders
2001 Nicole Graves
2000 Lisa Hardeman
1999 Ann Rulton
1998 Julie Allen
1997 Dianne Vaux
1996 Bernadette Marantelli
1995 Coral White
1990 Jan Wilson, Janet Graham
1983 Helen Lambert

250 Games (as at end of 2011)

Debbie Lee (East Brunswick Scorpions/Sunshine YCW/St Albans Spurs)
Kerry Saunders (Darebin Falcons/St Kilda City)
Belinda Bowey (St Kilda Sharks/Keysborough)

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Gliddon. Greg. McFerran to join the greats. 23 March 2017. Leader Community Newspapers. 14 June 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070928021139/http://www.leadernews.com.au/article/2007/06/14/16430_vwfl_story.html. 28 September 2007. Melbourne. en.
  2. Web site: Olle. Sarah. AFL Women's: AFL Victoria releases control of local leagues, will create more football jobs. Fox Sports. 23 March 2017. 8 November 2016.
  3. Web site: Siren Sounds on VWFL - Victorian Women's Football League. SportsTG. 23 March 2017. en. 9 November 2016.
  4. News: Choahan. Neelima. Girls-only football teams on the rise after the launch of AFLW. 23 March 2017. The Age. 26 February 2017.
  5. Web site: 2017 Swisse VFL Women's Fixture - VFL - SportsTG. SportsTG. 23 March 2017. en. 12 January 2017.
  6. Web site: Moana Hope . 2022-06-15 . Precision Sports Entertainment Group . en-US.
  7. Web site: Cavanagh . Chris . 13 September 2015 . Darebin Falcons fly to eighth premiership in 10 years with victory over Diamond Creek in VWFL Premier Division grand final . 15 June 2022 . Herald Sun.
  8. Web site: Cavanagh . Chris . 8 September 2014 . Darebin Falcons go back-to-back with victory over Diamond Creek in VWFL Premier Division grand final . 15 June 2022 . Herald Sun.
  9. Web site: Alanna . 2013-09-10 . 2013 VWFL Presentation night . 2022-06-15 . Darebin Women's Sports Club . en-AU.
  10. Web site: STEPHANIE 'RICHO' BROWN TO PLAY GAME 100 St Kilda Sharks . 2022-06-15 . stkildasharks.com.
  11. Web site: Cavanagh . Chris . 13 August 2013 . Darebin Falcons make for undefeated season with demolition of Diamond Creek in Victorian Women's Football League grand final . 15 June 2022 . Herald Sun.
  12. Web site: 2012 VWFL AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED - Victorian Womens Football League . 2022-06-15 . GameDay . en.
  13. Web site: VWFL Grand Final: Darebin up the creek without a Premiership . 2022-06-15 . www.footyalmanac.com.au.
  14. Web site: VWFL – Darebin's amazing run of 5 flags in a row comes to an end . 2022-06-15 . www.footyalmanac.com.au.
  15. News: O'Meara . Patrick . Clean sweep Darebin wins all three women's premierships . Northcote Leader . 25 August 2010 . 30.
  16. Web site: Women's Footy: Darebin take VWFL flag . 2022-06-15 . www.footyalmanac.com.au.
  17. News: Hope earns Darebin double billing . . 25 August 2008 . 77.
  18. Web site: VWFL RESULTS - PREMIER SENIORS GRAND FINAL - Victorian Womens Football League . 2022-06-15 . GameDay . en.
  19. News: Johnson . Lyall . Sweet indeed as Falcons' flag breaks drought . The Age . 11.
  20. Web site: VIC - AFLW National Championships . 2022-06-15 . GameDay . en.
  21. Web site: Best Fairest - Victorian Womens Football League . 2022-06-15 . GameDay . en.
  22. Web site: Leading Goal Kickers - Victorian Womens Football League . 2022-06-15 . GameDay . en.

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