2024 VAFA Season Officially Launched

The VAFA community came together on Wednesday evening for the 2024 William Buck VAFA Season Launch held at Q Events in the Melbourne CBD.

There were more than 250 people in attendance, including Presidents, committee members and players from VAFA clubs ahead of the first bounce this weekend. The cocktail event fostered mingling and networking amongst representatives from all 70 VAFA clubs as well as VAFA Life Members, Directors, Administration, Commercial and Community partners who were all in attendance.

Guests were fortunate to hear from guest speaker Rodney “Rocket” Eade. In a Q&A with returning MC Nigel Carmody, Eade reflected on his playing days at Hawthorn and talked through his connection to the VAFA through his two sons who both played for Old Camberwell.

Being Tassie born, Eade showed his support for the new Tasmania Devils team to join the AFL and the benefit that will have on young footballers in the state. Furthermore, in support of grassroots football, Eade applauded the AFL in pouring funds into community football as the primary pathway to elite level, and more importantly, the means to keep people of all ages engaged in Australian Rules Football.

As always on the night of the season launch, the VAFA is pleased to announce four 2024 Certificate of Merit awardees, each of whom have been recognised for their outstanding service to the VAFA and their clubs.

Congratulations to Peter Bye (Therry Penola), Lawrence Tutton (Old Ivanhoe), Bernard Angel (University Blues), and Duncan Palmer (Old Carey) on their certificate of merit awards.

Peter Bye (Therry Penola)

Peter has been involved with Therry Penola Football Club for the past 20 years. In addition to assisting the President, and helping out wherever was needed, Peter’s professionalism, adept accounting, and exemplary financial management has placed Therry in a strong financial position and left a legacy that will be difficult to surpass. Therry awarded Peter Life membership in 2018, and today he is awarded a Certificate of Merit from the VAFA for his outstanding contribution to the Association at clubland.

Lawrence Tutton (Old Ivanhoe)

For nearly 6 decades, Lawrence Tutton has served as a cornerstone of Old Ivanhoe Grammarians Football Club, epitomising the values of community, inclusion, and sport. Lawrence was recognised for his contribution to the VAFA 20 years ago exactly, however, was nominated again this year for a Certificate of Merit by his current committee who have seen Lawrence’s tireless efforts, passion, commitment, and exemplary service over the past 20 years. Lawrence is truly the lifeblood of the club; he embodies the spirit of volunteerism and has been a pillar in ensuring the success and stability of Old Ivanhoe FC for the better part of 60 years. Lawrence’s ongoing selfless dedication has helped foster a sense of community and camaraderie both at club level and also felt by the wider VAFA community at large. Today, we honour Lawrence Tutton, an icon of the VAFA.

Bernard Angel (University Blues)

Bernie has had a longstanding and successful involvement both on and off the field at two of the VAFA’s Premier grade clubs. His stellar playing career playing spanned well-over 200 games across St Bernards and University Blues Football Clubs, winning numerous B&F’s along the way. For the past 40 years, Bernie has been contributing to the club off-field filling various roles from being a player rep, sitting on the committee, team manager, timekeeper, goal umpire and everything in between. Bernie has made a remarkable imprint on the club and was awarded Life Membership back in 1993, and then received the highest “off-field” accolade at Uni Blues, The Chris Brown Trophy in 2007. Today, Bernie Angel is awarded a Certificate of Merit by the VAFA.

Duncan Palmer (Old Carey)

Duncan (more affectionately referred to as Beersy around the club), built a reputation as a cult-figure and dependable hand. Duncan is synonymous with the Old Carey Football Club from his playing days all the way through to becoming the club historian, a committee member, games record manager, match day stats manager and the list goes on… Duncan is a steadfast advocate for the amateur ethos and values, with generations of players at Old Carey FC having felt his warmth and mutual respect and today is recognised by the Association as a recipient of a Certificate of Merit.

View more photos from the event on the VAFA Facebook page here >

The VAFA wishes the best of luck to all our teams, coaches and players in 2024. The season commences this weekend for Holmesglen Under 19’s and Thirds, with all other sections including Senior Men’s and Women’s to get underway on April 13.