Football Operations Update

We reiterate the advice yesterday (Thursday 2 September), in light of the Victorian State Government announcement that Metropolitan Melbourne will extend the current lockdown, it is with great regret that the VAFA Board has determined the 2021 VAFA season must be cancelled. It is clear that it is not possible for our football to return in late September, despite a great deal of planning and a strong desire to complete 2021.

The Football operations department will now turn our efforts to discussions and decisions related to promotion/relegation, section structure for 2022, awarding premierships/minor premierships, awarding competition B&F and other associated awards and other football related matters.

In other football matters, all men’s senior competitions will be allocated a Total Team Points cap/budget of 45 points for the 2022 season in accordance with the AFL Victoria Player Points System Policy and VAFA Rules.

Coming into effect on November 1, 2021, the VAFA will introduce a new Player Permit Application Process   which will become a key operational function of the current Independent Permit Committee (PC) and VAFA Independent Integrity Division (IID). The purpose of the VAFA Player Permit Application Process is to introduce a more rigorous and transparent process into the VAFA to ensure all players are upholding and abiding by the VAFA Amateur Status Guidelines. All Category 5- and 6- point players transferring into the VAFA for the upcoming season will be required to complete this process prior to being granted a permit to play in the VAFA. The VAFA also reserves the right to request that a player shall complete the VAFA Player Permit Application Form even if they are not a Category 5- or 6-point player.