VAFA Statement – January 2026
In January 2026, the VAFA appointed an independent investigator to examine allegations regarding inappropriate costumes worn by a number of players from a VAFA club at a private end-of-season function,
The VAFA Board appointed Tim Nelson as the 18th President of the VAFA at their June Board Meeting, with Phil De Young appointed as the Vice President.
Nelson’s appointment follows the decision by outgoing President, Michael Hazell to step down from his position early in order to assist the new President in the transition period.
Nelson told vafa.com.au, “I am honoured to be appointed to the role of President of the VAFA. I would like to acknowledge the tireless energy and enthusiasm of Michael Hazell, who has done an outstanding job in developing the competition to the next level across so many facets.
Nelson is a former four time premiership player with both Old Paradians and Old Xaverians and was first appointed to the to the Board in 2010 before being elected by the Members at the June, 2012 Members Meeting.
Nelson played for Old Paradians and Old Xaverians from 1983–1996. He was a member of the last Old Paradians senior premiership team, the 1986 B Section premiership. Throughout his VAFA career Tim had the good fortune to win five premiership medallions in total, 4 as a player and 1 as an official.
In off seasons, Tim competed as a sprinter in the Victorian Athletic League winning the 70m sprint at the Stawell Gift Carnival in 1987.
He has enjoyed a 25 year career in executive recruitment, where he is a Senior Client Partner at Korn/Ferry International, responsible for the Melbourne Financial Services and Board Practices. Tim is married to Emma and has 3 boys – Joshua, Thomas and Edward.
Everyone at the VAFA welcomes the appointment of both Nelson and De Young.
“I look forward to working closely with the Board, staff and importantly all the clubs to preserve the standards and integrity of our competition, whilst ensuring we continue to innovate and grow as the pre-eminent community football association in Australia,” Nelson said.
In January 2026, the VAFA appointed an independent investigator to examine allegations regarding inappropriate costumes worn by a number of players from a VAFA club at a private end-of-season function,
The 2026 Premier C Men’s fixture has dropped, and it promises to be a fascinating season, with plenty of coaching changes, a couple of accomplished teams returning from Premier B,
The 2026 Premier B Men’s fixture has been released, and, as in 2025, this section is shaping up to be one of the tightest and most exciting in the entire
