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 and Football Operations Department reviewed the current structure of Divisions 2, 3 and 4 and made the following changes to this season’s relegation/promotion system in a bid to ensure a competitive and fair fixture in 2017.
With the current 70-team competition, there will be 10 teams in every senior section of the VAFA next year as the changes aim to rectify the current unevenness of nine teams in Divisions 2 and 4, and 12 in Division 3.
Three teams will be relegated from Division 3 and one from Division 2, while the current two-team promotion system will remain.
General Manager, Football Operations and Umpiring, Brian Goodman, says the current system creates an imbalance over an 18 round season.
“The 10-team structure which will occur because of these changes will allow every side to play each opponent twice, creating a balanced and fair fixture,” Goodman says.
“It will also allow for a top four finals series in every senior section of the Association.”
The decision is directly aligned with the VAFA’s strategic plan to ensure a competitive balance across all sections.
| Division 2 | Division 3 | Division 4 |
| 2 Promoted to Division 1 | 2 Promoted to Division 2 | 2 Promoted to Division 3 |
| 1 Relegated to Division 3 | 3 Relegated to Division 4 |
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,
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