2026 William Buck Premier Women’s Section Structure released

Following consultation with our clubs, the VAFA is pleased to confirm the 2026 Section Structure for our William Buck Premier Women’s competition.

The restructuring has been based on two key principles:

• Featuring our best 10 senior teams in our highest women’s competition – William Buck Premier Women’s (irrespective of whether they have a Reserves team);

• Maintaining the connection between a club’s senior and reserves teams.

WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER WOMEN’S will return to 10 teams (after being reduced to 9 during the 2025 season). As the Top 2 teams in Premier B Women’s this season, Old Brighton & Old Melburnians will be promoted to the top tier. Beaumaris will be the only relegated team as we return the competition to 10 teams.

PREMIER B WOMEN’S SENIORS will therefore shift from 9 to 8 teams as we maintain a total of 18 clubs across the two Premier sections. As the Top 2 teams in Division 1 this season, Glen Eira/Old McKinnon & Monash Blues will be promoted to Premier B, while the bottom 2 teams Old Xaverians & MUWFC will play in Division 1 next season.

PREMIER B WOMEN’S RESERVES will be re-established, allowing clubs to keep their teams together.

Given there are two teams in each Premier Women’s section WITHOUT a Reserves team (Old Brighton, OMs, Marcellin & St Bede’s/Mentone Tigers), fixturing can be completed without unnecessary byes.

Here are the movements across the Women’s Premier competitions for 2026:

Fixturing for Premier Women’s competitions will now commence.

We thank all club representatives who provided feedback and wish all clubs well with preparations for season 2026.