VAFA & SEN extend broadcast partnership for 2027-28

The Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) and Sports Entertainment Network (SEN) have reaffirmed their commitment to community football, announcing a new two-year extension of their longstanding broadcast partnership.

This extension builds on the success of a partnership that’s become a cornerstone of the VAFA’s media coverage. It offers supporters comprehensive live commentary, expert analysis, and quality insights every Saturday afternoon throughout the season.

The quality of the broadcast was recognised at the 2024 AFL Victoria Community Football Media Awards, where the VAFA SEN Match of the Day received the Most Outstanding Radio Gameday Coverage Award.

The partnership ensures the VAFA will continue to enjoy a dedicated radio platform, showcasing the players, clubs and stories that make the Association one of Australia’s most respected community football competitions.

The renewed agreement will see the popular VAFA SEN Match of the Day continue to deliver live coverage of the VAFA’s biggest matches each week, available to listeners via the SEN app and VAFA.com.au.

VAFA Executive General Manager – Commercial, Glen Towers, welcomed the extension, highlighting the broadcast’s important role in connecting the competition with its passionate football community.

“We’re thrilled to extend our partnership with SEN for another two years and continue delivering a high-quality weekly broadcast to the VAFA community.

“The VAFA SEN Match of the Day has become an important part of our competition, bringing the excitement, rivalries and traditions of VAFA football to supporters wherever they are.

“The recognition the broadcast has received is a testament to the quality of the coverage and the commitment of everyone involved.”

Executive Producer of the coverage, the VAFA’s Broadcast & Content Manager, Jason Bennett, has been delighted with the coverage’s evolution and growth over the past three years.

“So many talented people have played a part in helping our VAFA SEN Match of the Day coverage find its voice,” said Bennett.

“The likes of Paddy Grindlay and Joey Pignataro played a pivotal role early on, alongside our Hall of Famer Simon Petch and two-time premiership coach Hugo Higginbotham.

“This season Matty Donald took over from Paddy and led the coverage brilliantly. The coverage has developed its own identity over the last three seasons, and our listeners know what they’re going to get – footy-first fun, accurate calling and considered, in-depth analysis from characters who love the VAFA just as much as they do.

“This partnership provides a fantastic platform to celebrate our clubs, players and excellent standard of football, and we’re excited to continue building on that success with SEN.”

SEN’s Head of Sport, Julian Bayard, said the ongoing partnership reflected the strong relationship between the two organisations and the importance of showcasing community football. 

“The VAFA has a fantastic football community, and we’ve really enjoyed being able to bring its matches to our audience over the past few seasons,” Bayard said. 

“There’s a genuine passion for the competition, from the players and clubs through to the supporters who follow their teams every week. 

“We’re pleased to be continuing our relationship with the VAFA for another two years and giving more fans the opportunity to follow the action, whether they’re at the ground or listening from elsewhere.” 

The VAFA SEN Match of the Day will continue as a weekly live broadcast, available every Saturday afternoon from 1.45pm, via the SEN app and the VAFA website. Fans will also be able to enjoy the SEN Stadium feature at selected matches, allowing them to listen to the live coverage with no delay while at the venue.