Victorian Women's Football League
 | |
| Sport | Australian rules football |
|---|---|
| First season | 1981 |
| Ceased | 2016 |
| Replaced by | VFL Women's South Eastern Women's Football |
| No. of teams | 31 (final season) |
| Country | Australia |
| Headquarters | Melbourne, Australia |
| Last champion(s) | Deer Park (2016) |
| Most titles | Scorpions (11) |
| TV partner(s) | C31 |
| Official 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.[1]
History[edit]
Early years[edit]
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[edit]
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.[2]
The VWFL integrated into AFL Victoria in 2013.[1]
Dissolution[edit]
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][1]
Final clubs[edit]
Premier Division
| Club | Nickname | Location | Coach | Captain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cranbourne | Eagles | Cranbourne, Victoria | Kris Smith | Ashleigh Fennell |
| Darebin | Falcons | Preston, Victoria | Jane Lange | Daisy Pearce |
| Diamond Creek | Creekers | Plenty, Victoria | Tanya Hetherington | Steph Chiocci |
| Eastern Devils | Devils | Mulgrave, Victoria | Brendan Major | Jess Foster and Meg Hutchins |
| Geelong Magpies | Magpies | Geelong, Victoria | Steve Jannsen | Shannon Knox and Jaime Woollett |
| Knox | Falcons | Wantirna, Victoria | Clint Martin | Melissa Kuys |
| Melbourne University | Mugars | Parkville, Victoria | Andrew Jago | Alicia Eva, Ellie Blackburn, Elyce Hay, Emma Kearney, Kaitlyn Ashmore, Madeline Keryk and Catherine O'Bryan |
| Seaford | Tigerettes | Seaford, Victoria | Brett Alexander | Kim Ebb and Jessica Boyd |
| St Kilda Sharks | Sharks | St Kilda, Victoria | Shaun Smith | Penny Cula-Reid |
| Western Spurs | Spurs | St Albans, Victoria | Matt Russell | Bree White |
Division 1
- Bendigo
- Cranbourne FC
- Darebin
- Diamond Creek
- Eastern Devils
- Knox
- Melbourne Uni
- North Geelong
- Seaford FNC
Division 2
- La Trobe Uni
- Motmorency FC
- Pascoe Vale
- Port Melbourne Colts
- Redan FNC
- St Albans Spurs
- Whitehorse
Division 3
- Bayswater Football Club
- Cranbourne Football Club
- Deer Park
- Endeavour Hills FC
- Kew Football Club
- Mordialloc FC
- Seaford FNC
- St Kilda
Division 4
- Brunswick Renegades
- Chirnside Park FC
- Fitzroy-ACU
- Hallam Football Club
- Melbourne University
- Port Melbourne Colts
- South Morang FC
East Division
- AFL Gippsland
- Ajax FC
- Bulleen Templestowe AFC
- Endeavour Hills FC
- Knox FC
- Motmorency FC
- Rosebud FC
- Seville Ranges FFC
West Division
- Bacchus Marsh
- Jacana Football Club
- Kyneton FC
- Manor Lakes
- Melton Centrals
- Sunbury Lions WFC
Records[edit]
Division One/Premier Division[edit]
| Year | Premiers | Helen Lambert Medal (Best & Fairest) |
Rohenna Young Medal (Leading Goal Kicker) |
Lisa Hardeman Medal (Best on Ground in Grand Final) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Deer Park | Emma Grant (Bendigo) | Bella Ayre 34 (Bendigo) | Brooke McKinley (Deer Park) |
| 2015 | Darebin | Daisy Pearce (Darebin) | Moana Hope 68 (St Kilda Sharks)[6] | Darcy Vescio (Darebin)[7] |
| 2014 | Darebin | Daisy Pearce (Darebin) | Moana Hope 87 (St Kilda Sharks)[6] | Daisy Pearce (Darebin)[8] |
| 2013 | Darebin | Daisy Pearce (Darebin) | Stephanie Brown 25 (Berwick)[9][10] | Melissa Hickey (Darebin)[11] |
| 2012 | Diamond Creek | Lou Wotton (East Burwood) | Amy Catterall 39 (St Albans)[12] | Kirsty Lamb (Diamond Creek)[13] |
| 2011 | St Albans | Daisy Pearce (Darebin) | Sarah D'Arcy 51 (East Burwood) | Karen Paxman (St Albans)[14] |
| 2010 | Darebin | Daisy Pearce (Darebin) & Lou Wotton (East Burwood) |
Jane Lange 52 (Darebin) | Aasta O'Connor (Darebin)[15] |
| 2009 | Darebin | Daisy Pearce (Darebin) | Brittany Grech 58 (Diamond Creek) | Sarah Hammond (Darebin)[16] |
| 2008 | Darebin | Cecilia McIntosh (Melbourne Uni) | Moana Hope 63 (Darebin) | Moana Hope (Darebin)[17] |
| 2007 | Darebin | Shannon McFerran (St Albans) | Moana Hope 67 (Darebin) | Roi Boutsikakis (Darebin)[18] |
| 2006 | Darebin | Shannon McFerran (St Albans) | Moana Hope 74 (Darebin) | Kathy Zacharopolous (Darebin)[19] |
| 2005 | Melbourne University | Shannon McFerran (St Albans) | Rebecca Jennings 45 (Melbourne Uni) | Daisy Pearce (Darebin)[20] |
| 2004 | St Albans | Meg Hutchins (Deakin Uni) | Rohenna Young 65 (St Albans) | Debbie Lee (St Albans) |
| 2003 | Melbourne University | Shannon McFerran (St Albans) | Nic Lalor 33 (Deakin Uni) | |
| 2002 | Melbourne University | Shannon McFerran (St Albans) | Anita Rhook (Parkside) | |
| 2001 | Parkside Magpies | Debbie Lee (St Albans) | Dee Dundov (St Albans) | Rohenna Young (Parkside) |
| 2000 | Parkside Magpies | Sharon Bonnici (St Kilda City Sharks) | Nic Lalor (St Kilda City Sharks) | |
| 1999 | St Kilda | Sharon Bonnici (St Kilda City Sharks) | Nic Lalor (St Kilda City Sharks) | |
| 1998 | St Kilda | Sharon Bonnici (St Kilda City Sharks) | Nic Lalor (St Kilda City Sharks) | |
| 1997 | Albion Cats | Bronwyn Hutchinson (Fairfield) | Nic Lalor (St Kilda Sharks) | |
| 1996 | Fairfield | Debbie Lee (St Albans) | Debbie Lee (St Albans) | |
| 1995 | Ballarat Lions | Debbie Lee (St Albans) | Yasmin Horsham (Ballarat Lions) | |
| 1994 | Northcote Park Scorpions | Debbie Lee (St Albans) & Doreen de Pasquale (St Kilda City) |
Bronwyn Hutchinson (Ballarat Lions) | |
| 1993 | East Brunswick Scorpions | Debbie Lee (St Albans) | ||
| 1992 | Ballarat Lions | Kris Gardiner (Fairfield) | ||
| 1991 | East Brunswick Scorpions | Bronwyn Hutchinson (Ballarat) | Debbie Lee (East Brunswick) | |
| 1990 | Ballarat Eagles | Rhonda Rumler (Ballarat) | ||
| 1989 | Parkville Scorpions | Lisa Hardeman (Parkville) | ||
| 1988 | Parkville Scorpions | Doreen de Pasquale (Ballart) & Bernie Marantelli (Parkville) |
||
| 1987 | Parkville Scorpions | Bernie Marantelli (Parkville) | ||
| 1986 | Gladstone Park | Tracey Winch (Ferntree Gully) | ||
| 1985 | Aberfeldie Scorpions | Siobhan Taylor (Gladstone Park) | ||
| 1984 | Aberfeldie Scorpions | Maree Cave (Broadmeadows) | ||
| 1983 | Dingley Cobras | Maree Cave (Broadmeadows) | ||
| 1982 | Broadmeadows Scorpions | |||
| 1981 | Broadmeadows Scorpions |
Premier Reserves[edit]
| Year | Premiers | Fraser Griffiths Medal | Leading Goal Kicker | Best on Ground in Grand Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | St Albans | Rachael Gullo (St Albans) | Lauren Chalkey 19 (Berwick) | Rachael Gullo (St Albans) |
| 2011 | Darebin | Natasha Hardy (Sunbury) | Melissa Beadles 24 (East Burwood) | Gemma Anderson (Darebin) |
| 2010 | Darebin | Belinda Bowey (St Kilda Sharks) | Rebecca Hickmont 31 (Darebin) | Laura Cartledge (East Burwood) |
| 2009 | Darebin | Rebecca Hickmont (Darebin) | ||
| 2008 | East Burwood | Kristy Baeffel (St Kilda Sharks) | ||
| 2007 | Darebin | Luisa Callegari (Darebin) | ||
| 2006 | St Kilda Sharks | Jessica Williams (Melbourne Uni) | Ivanna Hern (St Kilda Sharks) | |
| 2005 | Melbourne University | Jessica Williams (Melbourne Uni) |
Premiers: North West Conference[edit]
2012 Bendigo
2011 La Trobe Uni
2010 Sunbury Lions
2009 Sunbury Lions
2008 Heidelberg Tigers
2007 Hadfield Hawks
2006 Diamond Creek Demons
Premiers: South East Conference[edit]
2012 Hallam Hawks
2011 Hallam Hawks
2010 South Mornington Tigerettes
2009 Scoresby Magpies
2008 Scoresby Magpies
2007 Yarra Valley Cougars
2007 Eastern Lions
2006 Berwick Wickers
Premiers: Country Conference[edit]
2007 Melton Centrals
2006 Geelong Cheetahz
Premiers: Division Two[edit]
2005 Lalor Bloods
2004 St Kilda Sharks
2003 Melbourne University Mugars
2002 East Geelong Eagles
2001 Hadfield Hawks
2000 North Heidelberg Bulldogs
1997 St Kilda Sharks
Premiers: Division Three[edit]
2006 Yarra Valley Cougars
2005 Yarra Valley Cougars
2005 Diamond Creek Demons
2004 Berwick Wickers
2003 Surrey Park Panthers
2002 Mordialloc Redbacks
2001 Ferntree Gully Kangaroos
VWFL Life Members[edit]
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)[edit]
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[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Olle, Sarah (8 November 2016). "AFL Women's: AFL Victoria releases control of local leagues, will create more football jobs". Fox Sports. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
- ^ Gliddon, Greg (14 June 2007). "McFerran to join the greats". Leader Community Newspapers. Melbourne. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
- ^ "Siren Sounds on VWFL - Victorian Women's Football League". SportsTG. 9 November 2016. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
- ^ Choahan, Neelima (26 February 2017). "Girls-only football teams on the rise after the launch of AFLW". The Age. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
- ^ "2017 Swisse VFL Women's Fixture - VFL - SportsTG". SportsTG. 12 January 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
- ^ a b "Moana Hope". Precision Sports Entertainment Group. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- ^ 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". Herald Sun. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- ^ Cavanagh, Chris (8 September 2014). "Darebin Falcons go back-to-back with victory over Diamond Creek in VWFL Premier Division grand final". Herald Sun. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- ^ Alanna (10 September 2013). "2013 VWFL Presentation night". Darebin Women's Sports Club. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- ^ "STEPHANIE 'RICHO' BROWN TO PLAY GAME 100 | St Kilda Sharks". stkildasharks.com. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- ^ Cavanagh, Chris (13 August 2013). "Darebin Falcons make for undefeated season with demolition of Diamond Creek in Victorian Women's Football League grand final". Herald Sun. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- ^ "2012 VWFL AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED - Victorian Womens Football League". GameDay. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- ^ "VWFL Grand Final: Darebin up the creek without a Premiership". www.footyalmanac.com.au. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- ^ "VWFL – Darebin's amazing run of 5 flags in a row comes to an end". www.footyalmanac.com.au. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- ^ O'Meara, Patrick (25 August 2010). "Clean sweep Darebin wins all three women's premierships". Northcote Leader. p. 30.
- ^ "Women's Footy: Darebin take VWFL flag". www.footyalmanac.com.au. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- ^ "Hope earns Darebin double billing". Herald Sun. 25 August 2008. p. 77.
- ^ "VWFL RESULTS - PREMIER SENIORS GRAND FINAL - Victorian Womens Football League". GameDay. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- ^ Johnson, Lyall. "Sweet indeed as Falcons' flag breaks drought". The Age. p. 11.
- ^ "VIC - AFLW National Championships". GameDay. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- ^ "Best Fairest - Victorian Womens Football League". GameDay. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- ^ "Leading Goal Kickers - Victorian Womens Football League". GameDay. Retrieved 15 June 2022.