The Yarra Junior Football League (YJFL) is the largest junior Australian rules football league in Australia.[1][2][3] The league has a total of 30 clubs, who are based around northern, eastern and north-eastern Melbourne.[4] There is a total of 66 divisions throughout the league.[5]
| Formerly | Doncaster & Districts Junior Football League + Hawthorn Districts Junior Football League |
|---|---|
| Sport | Australian rules football |
| Founded | 1997 |
| CEO | Tim Murray |
| President | Jeff Hooper |
| No. of teams | 30 |
| Country |  Australia |
| Venue(s) | AFL Victoria |
| Sponsor(s) | Hiredepot, VRGF, TAC, Collingwood FC |
| Official website | [1] |
History
editThe YJFL was formed through the merging of the Doncaster & Districts Junior Football League (DDJFL) and the Hawthorn Districts Junior Football League (HDJFL) in 1997.[6] The league began with a total of 4628 registered players. They were spread out between 180 teams and 25 foundation clubs.[7] Since then, the number of players is over double the original number, with 10,614 players participating in 2019. It has also grown to 508 teams between 30 clubs, as per data gathered in 2019.[8]
In 2000, the Heidelberg Tigers moved into the YJFL after a major club reform. Over the next ten years, 5 teams joined the league, those teams being the Preston Bullants in 2001, the North Brunswick Giants in 2005 (at that time known as the 'Bulls'), the Parkside Devils and certain divisions from the Ashburton Redbacks in 2006, the Boroondara Hawks and the rest of the divisions from the Ashburton Redbacks in 2008, and the Brunswick Dragons in 2010.
In 2011, the first Youth Girls divisions were launched, with some teams given the support of the AFL.[9]
In 2015 and 2016, the league witnessed spikes in growth after they introduced an under-8s competition and the new South Yarra Junior Football Club.
In January 2020, the presidents from the former Greythorn Falcons and Balwyn Tigers decided to merge their clubs into the Balwyn Greythorn Jets Junior Football Club, to create a more powerful club, as they were already located very close together.[10]
Clubs
editCurrent clubs
edit| Club | Colours | Moniker | Home ground | Est. | Former league | Joined YJFL |
Associated senior club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aquinas |  |
Bloods | JW Manson Reserve, Wantirna | 2013 | − | 2015 | Aquinas - VAFA |
| Ashburton |  |
Redbacks | Burwood Reserve and Ferndale Reserve, Glen Iris | 1971 | HDJFL | 2006 | None |
| Balwyn |  |
Tigers | Balwyn Park, Balwyn and Gordon Barnard Reserve, Balwyn North | 2023 | − | 2024 | Balwyn - EFNL |
| Banyule |  |
Bears | Beverley Road Reserve and AJ Burkitt Oval, Heidelberg | 1967 | DDJFL | 1997 | Banyule - NFNL |
| Beverley Hills |  |
Lions | Zerbes Reserve, | 1967 | DDJFL | 1997 | Doncaster East - EFNL |
| Brunswick |  |
Dragons | Gillon Oval, Brunswick | 2010 | − | 2010 | Brunswick - VAFA |
| Bulleen Templestowe |  |
Bullants | Ted Ajani Reserve, Templestowe Lower | 1990 | DDJFL | 1997 | Bulleen Templestowe - EFNL |
| Bundoora |  |
Bulls | N J Telfer Reserve, Bundoora | 1961 | DDJFL | 1997 | Bundoora - NFNL |
| Camberwell |  |
Sharks | Lynden Park, Camberwell | 1997 | − | 1997 | None |
| Canterbury |  |
Cobras | Canterbury Sportsground, Canterbury | 1997 | − | 1997 | Canterbury - VAFA |
| Carlton |  |
Blues | Number 1 Oval, Princes Park, Carlton North | 2016 | − | 2016 | None |
| Doncaster |  |
Cats | Schramms Reserve, Doncaster | 1968 | DDJFL | 1997 | Doncaster - EFNL |
| Fitzroy |  |
Lions | Cox and Olney Ovals, Fairfield; Alfred Crescent and W.T. Peterson Ovals, Fitzroy North; Ramsden Street Reserve, Clifton Hill; Victoria Park, Abbotsford | 1993 | HDJFL | 1997 | Fitzroy - VAFA |
| Glen Iris |  |
Gladiators | T.H. King and Righetti Oval, Glen Iris | 1987 | HDJFL | 1997 | None |
| Hawthorn Citizens |  |
Citz | Victoria Road and Rathmines Road Reserves, Hawthorn East; Glenferrie Oval, Hawthorn | 1992 | HDJFL | 1997 | Hawthorn AFC - VAFA |
| Heidelberg |  |
Tigers | Heidelberg Park and Warringal Park, Heidelberg | 2000 | − | 2000 | Heidelberg - NFNL |
| Ivanhoe |  |
Hoes | Ivanhoe Park, Ivanhoe | 1966 | DDJFL | 1997 | Ivanhoe - NFNL |
| Kew |  |
Comets | Victoria Park, Kew | 1971 | HDJFL | 1997 | Kew - VAFA |
| Kew Rovers |  |
Rovers | Stradbroke Park, Kew East | 1971 | DDJFL | 1997 | Kew - VAFA |
| Macleod |  |
Eagles | Macleod Reserve, Macleod; Greensborough College, Greensborough; De Winton Reserve, Rosanna | 1968 | NFNL | 1997 | Macleod - NFNL |
| Northcote |  |
Cougars | McDonnell Park, Northcote | 1962 | NFNL | 2020 | Northcote Park - NFNL |
| North Brunswick |  |
Giants | Allard Park, Brunswick East | 2005 | − | 2005 | North Brunswick - VAFA |
| Parade St Damians |  |
Saints | Binnak Park, Watsonia North | 1979 | NFNL | 1997 | None |
| Park Orchards North Ringwood Parish |  |
Sharks | Domeney Reserve and Stintons Reserve, Park Orchards | 1991 | DDJFL | 1997 | Park Orchards - EFNL |
| Parkside |  |
Devils | Pitcher Park, Alphington | 2005 | − | 2006 | Parkside - VAFA |
| Preston Bullants |  |
Bullants | H P Zwar Park, Preston | 2000 | − | 2001 | Preston Bullants - VAFA |
| Richmond | |
Tigers | Citizens Park, Richmond and Kevin Bartlett Complex, Burnley | 1973 | HDJFL | 1997 | Richmond Central - VAFA |
| St Marys Greensborough |  |
Burras | Whatmough Park, Greensborough | 1973 | DDJFL | 1997 | St Marys - NFNL |
| Surrey Park |  |
Panthers | Surrey Park, Box Hill | 1994 | 1997 | Surrey Park - EFNL | |
| Templestowe |  |
Dockers | Templestowe Reserve, Templestowe | 1969 | DDJFL | 1997 | Templestowe - EFNL |
| Warrandyte |  |
Bloods | Warrandyte Reserve, Warrandyte | 1975 | EDJFL, DDJFL | 1997 | Warrandyte - EFNL |
| Whitehorse |  |
Colts | Springfield Reserve, Box Hill North | 1997 | − | 1997 | Whitehorse Pioneers - EFNL |
- Templestowe known as Doncaster Heights until 2014[11]
Former clubs
edit| Club | Colours | Moniker | Home Ground | Former League | Est. | Joined YJFL |
Final season |
Associated senior club | Current status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balwyn | |
Tigers | Balwyn Park, Balwyn and Gordon Barnard Reserve, Balwyn North | 2001 | 2020 | Balwyn - EFNL | Merged 2020 with Greythorn | ||
| Balwyn-Greythorn |  |
Jets | Balwyn Park, Balwyn and Gordon Barnard Reserve, Balwyn North | − | 2019 | 2020 | 2023 | Balwyn - EFNL | Merged 2023 with Boroondara |
| Bayswater Bombers |  |
Bombers | Marie Wallace Bayswater Park, Bayswater | − | 2012 | 2012 | None | Folded | |
| Boroondara |  |
Hawks | Gordon Barnard Reserve, Balwyn North | − | 2008 | 2008 | 2023 | None | Merged 2023 with Balwyn-Greythorn |
| Chirnside Park |  |
Panthers | Kimberley Reserve, Chirnside Park | − | 1978 | 2011 | 2015 | Chirnside Park − EFNL | EFNL |
| East Brighton Vampires |  |
Vampires | Hurlingham Reserve, Brighton East | − | 1948 | 2015 | 2015 | East Brighton - SFNL | SMJFL |
| East Malvern |  |
Knights | Basil Reserve, Malvern East | − | 1986 | 2011 | 2015 | East Malvern − SFNL | SMJFL |
| Eastern Devils |  |
Devils | Bulleen Park, Bulleen | − | 1999 | 2011 | 20?? | Eastern Devils − EFNL | EFNL |
| Greythorn |  |
Falcons | Greythorn Park, Balwyn North | 2001 | 2020 | None | Merged 2020 with Balwyn | ||
| Healesville | |
Bloods | Don Road Sporting Complex, Healesville | − | 1888 | 2011 | 2014 | Healesville − OEFNL | OEFNL |
| Highett |  |
Bulldogs | Peterson Street Reserve, Highett | − | 1988 | 2015 | 2015 | Highett - SFNL | SMJFL |
| Montmorency |  |
Magpies | Montmorency Park, Montmorency | 1968 | 1997 | 2022 | Montmorency - NFNL | NFNL | |
| Seville Ranges |  |
Rangers | Wandin East Recreation Reserve, Wandin East | − | 20?? | 2011 | 2015 | Seville Ranges - VWFL | Folded 20?? |
| South Yarra |  |
Lions | Leigh Park, Balwyn North | − | 2015 | 2016 | 2021 | South Yarra - SFNL | Folded 2022 |
| St Peters |  |
Bulldogs | Centenary Park, Bentleigh East | − | 1957 | 2015 | 2015 | None | SMJFL |
Girls football
editBeginnings
editThe first girls division was introduced in the 2011 season as a "Youth Girls" (under-18s) division, which had a total of 10 teams participating. This division also included teams from other leagues that did not have any girls-only divisions.[12] In 2012, a girls under-12s division was formed, with 5 clubs fielding teams in the division. The "Youth Girls" division grew to a total of 12 teams, up two from the year before.[13] One year later, an under 14 girls division was formed to help bridge the gap between the Youth Girls and under 12 girls divisions. It had a total of 4 teams participating in its first year.[14] The number of teams in these divisions nearly doubled in 2014, rising from 17 to 31.[15]
2019−present
editAfter only 10 teams in the first year of female-only teams in the Yarra Junior Football League, the total spiked to 122 female-only teams in 2019. There were 2810 female players in the league in 2019, which meant that female-players made up just over a quarter of all players in the league.[16] There are now eight female divisions: Under 10 Girls, Under 11 Girls, Under 12 Girls, Under 13 Girls, Under 14 Girls, Under 15 Girls, Under 16 Girls and the Youth Girls.[17]
Community
editNorth East Link Controversy
editThe Yarra Junior Football League community rallied against the controversial North East Link project, due to the removal of their headquarters, which was in the path of the proposed road.[18] The North East Link Authority proposed a new headquarters location at Ford Park, Bellfield, but met resistance from the league due to worries that Ford Park is too far away for many teams in the league.
Partnership with Collingwood
editIn early July 2020, it was announced that the Collingwood Football Club would enter a 'Major Community Partnership' with the Yarra Junior Football League. This partnership was formed as a part of an initiative to support grassroots football. Six main projects were announced as part of the partnership, including junior development programs to encourage participation in junior football, sport medical programs and research, fundraising events to raise money, support for talent pathways for junior players through to the elite levels, female football development programs and the development of projects to expand community facilities.[19]
AFL/AFLW players
editMany players who went on to play in the Australian Football League (AFL) and AFL Women's (AFLW) began their football careers in the YJFL.[20]
- Jake Kelly
- David Mackay
- Ayce Taylor
- Ben Crocker
- Toby Wooller
- Marc Murphy
- Matthew Kreuzer
- Jack Silvagni
- Sam Philp
- Matthew Owies
- Marc Pittonet
- Jack Newnes
- Dylan Buckley
- Tom Langdon
- Jordan De Goey
- Darcy Moore
- Tom Phillips
- Brayden Sier
- Rupert Wills
- Callum Brown
- Josh Daicos
- Tyler Brown
- Isaac Quaynor
- Finlay Macrae
- Trent Bianco
- Atu Bosenavulagi
References
edit- ^ "Yarra Junior Football League confirms 2020 season start". Herald Sun. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
- ^ Colangelo, Anthony (27 May 2020). "Australia's biggest junior footy competition to resume in mid-July". The Age. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
- ^ "To infinity and beyond…". Retrieved 17 June 2020.
- ^ "YJFL Member Clubs". Retrieved 13 June 2020.
- ^ "Fixtures YJFL". Retrieved 13 June 2020.
- ^ "Yarra Junior Football League - About". Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ "YJFL Annual Report 2016" (PDF). Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- ^ "YJFL Annual Report 2019" (PDF). Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- ^ Kennedy, Joel (24 May 2011). "Colts at gallop". Herald Sun. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ "Message From The Presidents - Balwyn and Greythorn" (PDF). Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ "Our Club". Archived from the original on 16 March 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
In 2014 we changed our name to Templestowe Junior Football Club to reflect our new home and strong pathways program whilst preserving the proud 'Heighters' history.
- ^ "Yarra JFL 2011 Annual Report" (PDF). Wayback Machine. Yarra Junior Football League. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
- ^ "2012 YJFL Annual Report" (PDF). Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ "YJFL Annual Report 2013" (PDF). Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- ^ "2014 YJFL Annual Report" (PDF). Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- ^ "YJFL Annual Report 2019" (PDF). Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- ^ "YJFL Girls Football- About". Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- ^ Colangelo, Anthony (30 October 2019). "Premier asked to step in to end footy league's North East Link dispute". The Age. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- ^ "Magpies support grassroots football". CollingwoodFC Media. 2 July 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
- ^ "CURRENT AFL & AFLW Players". Yarra Junior Football League. Archived from the original on 13 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.