VAFA Club Connect Club of the Month – April

The VAFA Club Connect Club of the Month award recognises a VAFA club who through its actions both on and off the field, best exhibits the values of the VAFA, namely Respect, Inclusive, Integrity and Community.

Old Brighton Football Club has been named the VAFA Club Connect Club of the Month for April in recognition of their strong display of the VAFA’s core value of community.

The clubs nominated by VAFA Management in April were:

Old Brighton

The VAFA is proud to recognise Old Brighton Football Club as the Club Connect Club of the Month, celebrating their continued excellence both on and off the field. Building on their impactful involvement in the Tackle Your Feelings program in 2024 and their ongoing focus on mental health, Old Brighton has reaffirmed its commitment to player wellbeing through active and meaningful participation in The Real Stakes program. Their efforts to promote education, awareness, and a supportive environment for players and the broader community are truly commendable.

The club’s values were further demonstrated during the recent Under 19 Premier match against SKOBS. Following a serious injury to one of their own players, Old Brighton responded with maturity and compassion, later contacting VAFA management to offer a draw — despite holding the lead at the time. This generous and community-first approach reflected a deep commitment to fairness, empathy, and sportsmanship.

Old Brighton continues to exemplify what it means to be a values-driven football club. The VAFA is proud to celebrate their contribution and acknowledge them as a leading example within our community.

St Kevin’s Old Boys

St Kevin’s Old Boys Football Club continues to set a strong example of what it means to be a genuine community club within the VAFA. Through their consistent on-field performance and meaningful off-field engagement, SKOBS demonstrates leadership, inclusiveness, and a deep commitment to the values that define our competition.

The club’s recent response during a distressing incident in the Under 19 Premier match against Old Brighton was another clear example of their integrity and values in action. SKOB’s decision to abandon the match to prioritise an opposition player’s wellbeing reflected outstanding leadership and compassion. In a competitive setting, choosing welfare over results is never easy, but SKOBS actions captured the true spirit of the VAFA. It is for these reasons the club was nominated by VAFA staff as a model of community and character.

Marcellin

The VAFA proudly recognises Marcellin Old Collegians Football Club for their exceptional engagement both on and off the field. Marcellin has emerged as a leader in promoting player wellbeing, having embraced the Real Stakes program early and embedded it meaningfully across the club’s culture. Their proactive efforts to foster a supportive and inclusive environment are truly commendable. A strong commitment to celebrating First Nations culture reflects the club’s genuine focus on education, respect, and cultural inclusion—an area they are prioritising in 2025.

Despite facing challenges, including the health struggles of a key committee member, the club remained proactive—maintaining clear communication with VAFA management, engaging in key programs, and leading the way toward a successful start to the 2025 season.

Marcellin continues to set a high standard in aligning with VAFA’s core values, making a lasting and positive impact within their club and the wider football community.

As recognition of their award, the Old Brighton Football Club receive a $150 credit courtesy of Club Connect to restock their canteen/drinks fridge. When told about the award, club President Tom Clarke said “We certainly strive to be a positive contributor to our Old Brighton and broader VAFA community. There is so much more to community sport than what happens on field, and it is important to us that we provide a welcoming, respectful and enjoyable environment for everyone.

We are fortunate to have a lot of great people involved at our club who make it a place we are proud to be a part of. That same sentiment carries across all the clubs, umpires and staff at HQ we deal with every week. We greatly appreciate the recognition of our football club – thank you.”

If you believe your club demonstrates the values of the VAFA and would like to share the great work happening at your club, please email VAFA Club Support Manager, Pranav Menon ([email protected])

VAFA VALUES: COMMUNITY | RESPECT | INTEGRITY | INCLUSION