VAFA SEEKS INPUT TO UNDER 18 COMPETITION

The VAFA has established a working committee comprising representatives from its member clubs focused on the increased participation and maintaining the sustainability of the VAFA Under 18 competition. 
The committee to be chaired by VAFA General Manager of Football, Brian Goodman, invites clubs that have previously entered or have considered entering an Under 18 club in the competition to contact the committee via Brian to discuss entering a team for the 2015 season. 
The history of the Under 18 competition is short, only commencing in 2009. The VAFA introduced the section on the initiative of many of our clubs that wanted to offer a pathway for their junior aligned club into the senior club. The problem many clubs face is the gap from under 16s or under 17s, is too big a jump to go straight into under 19s. 
History of the Under 18s
In 2009, the VAFA Under 18 competition commenced with eight clubs, as Oakleigh and St Bernard’s fought out the Grand Final, with the Krushers taking the very first U18 premiership flag by 44 points. 
The following year, the U18s had two sections of six teams each with Rupertswood trumping Oakleigh in U18 (1) whilst UHS-VU claimed the U18 (2) flag. 
Both the 2011 and 2012 seasons saw a return to eight clubs in one section, as Rupertswood went back to back in ’11 and Oakleigh claimed a second flag at this level in 2012.
The all conquering Kew flew into the competition in 2013 and promptly went undefeated to become the first champion team in the Under 18s. 
The season just gone saw Mazenod almost equal Kew’s efforts, but the Nodders dropped a game late in the season to scupper their chances, nevertheless Mazenod still claimed the ultimate prize. 
Over the six years that the VAFA has run an Under 18 competition, 20 clubs have submitted teams to play, with only St Bernard’s and UHS-VU managing to have a team in the competition every year. Below is a table showing which clubs have fielded a team and how many years they have had a team in the competition. 
Some have drifted in for a couple of seasons, whilst nine of the 22 clubs have only fielded a team for one season. The list does not include South Melbourne Districts who only managed to field a team for the first few weeks of the 2014 season. 
Other clubs have regularly nominated that they would be entering a team in the competition, only to inform the VAFA on the eve of the season that they would not have enough numbers to fill a side. 
If you are considering entering an Under 18 team for 2015 or would like some assistance and guidance through the process then please contact Brian Goodman on 9537 6710 or by email [email protected].