As 2016 comes to a close, the WRFL is reflecting on what was an action packed year both on and off the field.
Below is just a few highlights form the year:
- Launch Under-8 competition
At the beginning of the year the Western Region Football League launched its newest competition, Under-8’s, at VU Whitten Oval.
About 75 youngsters got the chance to pull on club colours for the first time.
WRFL Football Operations and Club Development manager Tim Shellcot said the reason why the league decided to introduce the new junior competition was because there needed to be a clearer pathway between Auskick and competitive club football.
“There is a disconnect between Auskick and competitive club football, so the Under-8’s is a way of trying to bridge that gap,” he said.
“It is about trying to get players into club jumpers and get them more enthusiastic about playing competitive football and also trying to get them to become long term club players in the league.”
- Meredith Angwin becomes president
In April, the WRFL announced Meredith Angwin was elected Acting President. She took on the role after Bruce Mildenhall confirmed he would be taking an extended stay in Greece.
Ms Angwin joined the WRFL Board in February 2014 and has taken a keen and active role in all aspects of the Board’s business.
She is steeped in WRFL/FDFL history as the daughter of past President and Life Member Ron Angwin (dec.) and past Treasurer and Life Member Thelma Angwin.
At the WRFL’s Annual General Meeting in late November, Ms Angwin was officially named President.
- Gambling’s Not A Game Cup
Yarraville Seddon Eagles and Caroline Springs played-off in Round 5 for the inaugural Gambling’s Not A Game Cup.
The entertaining match ended in a win for the Eagles, with the club taking home some silverware to put in their trophy cabinet.
- Senior and Under-19 Interleague
The future of the WRFL looked as bright as ever after the Under-19 representative team dismantled Ballarat at Whitten Oval in May.
The talented team defeated the BFNL by 97-points in what was an impressive performance from all players. The final score was 22.14. (146) to 7.7. (49).
The Senior side also had a memorable win, defeating Ballarat in a thrilling encounter.
A late goal to Werribee Districts forward Andrew Panayi sealed the three-point win. The final score was the WRFL 13.17. (95) to the BFNL 13.14 (92).
The win meant the league moved up the WorkSafe AFL Victoria Community Championships rankings and will next year go head-to-head with the Northern Football League.
- Sandra Wilson joins the board
Back in June, the then Hobson’s Bay Council Deputy Mayor Sandra Wilson, joined the WRFL Board.
The avid football and Western Bulldogs fan joins the league after a reshuffle of Board positions resulting from President Bruce Mildenhall’s extended leave of absence overseas.
Wilson was recently elected Mayor of Hobson’s Bay.
- Junior Interleague
This year the WRFL moved into the Division 1 competition of the Junior Metro Championships.
The Western Youth Girls team, a team combined with the Essendon District Football League, was the only team to score a win during the carnival.
WRFL Football Operations and Club Development manager Tim Shellcot said despite not getting the scores on the board, the WRFL were more than competitive in all of their matches.
He said the higher level of football the junior Interleague teams were exposed to during the carnival would motivate the young stars to be better next year.
- Vic Metro v Vic Country
Seven senior WRFL players were picked to play in the Vic Metro v Vic Country match earlier this year.
Werribee Districts star Matt Dean, Sunshine sharp-shooter Daniel Castellano, Albion young gun Josh Bench, Deer Park duo Tim Quick and Jase Perkins and Hoppers Crossing players Braden Ferrari and Harley Weston-Armstrong were all named in the Vic Metro side.
The final score was Vic Country 12.17. (89) to 7.8. (50).
- White Ribbon
The WRFL hosted a White Ribbon round in July to help raise awareness of men’s violence against women.
Senior players wore white armbands as a mark of respect, with some clubs also selling white ribbons and wristbands in a bid to raise money for the White Ribbon organisation.
Players also came together to film a special White Ribbon video. Check it out below:
- Junior Finals
It was an action-packed Junior Finals series with supporters turning out for all lead-up final and Grand Final matches. Here are all the winners:
- 18 Girls - Melbourne University
- 17A - St Bernard’s
- 17B - Caroline Springs
- 17C - Newport Power
- 15A - Sanctuary Lakes
- 15B - St Albans
- 14A - Yarraville Seddon Eagles
- 14B - Altona Juniors
- 14C - Hoppers Crossing
- 13A - Point Cook
- 13B - Hoppers Crossing
- 13C - Point Cook
- 12A - St Bernard’s
- 12B - Spotswood
- 12C - Flemington Juniors
- Under-11 East – Williamstown Juniors
- Under-11 West – Altona Juniors
- Best and Fairest – Junior
More than 470 guests attended the WRFL’s Junior Presentation Night earlier this year.
Held at the Wyndham Cultural Centre, players, coaches, officials and family members gathered to celebrate the achievements of the league’s young guns.
Best and Fairest awards were handed out, while premiership captains and coaches were presented with their cups on stage. Click here for the list of winners.
- Heartland Award
The 2016 Heartland winner Kristie-Lee meet some of her Western Bulldogs heroes in August.
Young gun Marcus Bontempelli also has a chat with her as part of the WRFL Footy Show.
The WRFL-Western Bulldogs Heartland Award was developed to promote and encourage 'good sportsmanship' for WRFL junior players from the Under-9s, through to the Under-14s.
- Division 3 Grand Final
In their inaugural season, Newport Power was able to create history, winning the Division 3 Senior premiership.
Led by playing coach Mark Williams, Newport Power defeated Parkside in the Grand Final decider 12.8. (80) to Parkside 6.11. (47).
The win capped off a remarkable season, which saw the Power lose just two games.
In the Reserves, it was Parkside who came out on top. The Magpies defeated Tarneit on their own turf in a thrilling final.
The final score was 10.7. (67) to Tarneit 8.11. (59).
- Division 2 Grand Final
The Caroline Springs Football Club won their first senior premiership since the club formed, defeating the Yarraville Seddon Eagles at Avalon Airport Oval.
The Lakers saved their best footy of the season for when it mattered most, winning their last five games of the year, claiming the Division 2 flag by 14-points.
In the Reserves, it was the Eagles who got over the top of the Lakers. The final score was 8.11. (59) to 6.8. (44).
In the Under-19 Division 2 Grand Final, Newport Power claimed back-to-back titles, defeating Albion 10.4. (64) to 6.13. (49).
- Division 1 Grand Final
Deer Park claimed their fourth straight Division 1 premiership in September, after defeating Hoppers Crossing in-front of a packed crowd at VU Whitten Oval.
The Lions led from start to finish, in what was a comprehensive performance. The final score was 25.21. (171) to 8.9. (57).
Kwame McHarg kicked five goals, while Brendan Fevola and Jase Perkins each kicked four goals.
The player judged best on field by the umpires was Rodney Van Riet, he was awarded the Herb Pascal medal.
In the Reserves, Hoppers Crossing won back-to-back titles, defeating Deer Park by 50-points. Noah Walker was named best on ground.
Finally, in the Under-19 Division Grand Final, Deer Park defeated Werribee Districts. The final score was 12.9. (81) to Werribee Districts 9.9. (63).
Mark Galea was named the best on ground.
- Best and Fairest – Senior
Deer Park’s Kwame McHarg was named the Division 1 Best and Fairest winner at the 2016 Senior Presentation Night at the Moonee Valley Race Course.
The presentation was a chance for those involved in the league, including players, coaches, umpires, club officials, volunteers and sponsors to come together and reflect on the year that was.
Kieran Murphy from North Footscray won the Division 2 Best and Fairest, while Todd Lawrie from Tarneit claimed the Division 3 medal.
To see a full list of winners, click here.
- WRFL announce new standalone girls competition
Back in October the WRFL announced it will run its own Girls Competition in 2017.
After a number of years being combined with the Essendon District Football League, the WRFL will have a standalone competition next year, featuring Under-12, Under-15 and Under-18 girls.
Since the announcement the league has had an overwhelming number of queries from clubs wanting to be involved in the 2017 competition.
- Melbourne Uni joins WRFL
The Melbourne University Women’s Football Club has been involved with senior footy for the past 20 years and junior footy for 12 years and by any measurement have become a powerhouse club.
In 2017, the Western Region Football League will formally welcome Melbourne University to our competition.
Junior president Bridget Barker said the club was hoping to create more opportunities for young girls in the region to play footy.
- New WRFL CEO
The WRFL announced it would search for a new CEO after Bob Tregear stated he would retire in February.
Matthew Duck was appointed to the role in November and began working with the league on Monday.
Matthew holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business (Sport & Leisure Management) and is completing a part-time MBA with La Trobe University.
He was formally employed as Chief Executive Officer of Diving Victoria, with previous experience including four years as General Manager Football Operations with the Southern Football Netball League.
Meanwhile, Tim Shellcot was named the league’s new Senior Football Operations Manager, replacing David Newton, who accepted a position with the Western Bulldogs.
Stephanie Zerowsky will assume responsibility for the Junior Football Operations role from December 12.
Last Modified on 14/12/2016 14:01