Vic wheelchair footy set for big 2023

As wheelchair football continues to grow, the 2023 Robert Rose Foundation Victorian Wheelchair Football League (VWFL) season is fast approaching, with Round One set for Sunday, May 7. 

The pinnacle competition for the game in Victoria, the VWFL, will again see five teams aligned to AFL clubs battle for supremacy across a 14-round season followed by finals, after the season expanded successfully in 2022.

In game-changing development for the sport, AFL Victoria is excited to launch a full pathway for people to get involved in the game. The NAB AFL Auskick Wheelchair program has been established and is on offer to participants aged 5-12 to experience the game and develop their skills. The program starts on the same day as the VWFL, May 7. More information is available here. 

In the VWFL, Essendon and Collingwood will start the season as the first match of a double-header at Boroondara Sports Complex on Sunday, May 7 at midday, followed by reigning premiers Richmond taking on Hawthorn at 2pm. 

St Kilda will begin their quest for success in Round Two on Sunday, May 21, as part of AFL Sir Doug Nicholls Round. The Saints will take on Hawthorn at Boroondara Sports Complex as the competition celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and contribution to our game.

Other notable dates on the fixture include:

• VFWL Grand Final is set to be played on Sunday, September 17
• The competition will head to regional locations for two rounds of matches this season. Wurdi Baierr Stadium in Torquay will host a double-header in Round Nine on Sunday, July 9 and then in Round 13, two matches will be played at Red Energy Arena in Bendigo, on Sunday, August 20
• AFL clubs will showcase the competition with dedicated ‘Marquee’ matches in Round Six (Hawthorn), Round Seven (Richmond), Round Eight (Essendon) and Round 14 (St Kilda)

The VWFL Community League will provide a platform for players to participate and put their skills on show if they aspire to play at a higher level.

Head of AFL Victoria, Ben Kavenagh, said: “After our biggest season ever of wheelchair footy last year, it’s really exciting to have the VWFL back for another full season of action. 

“The sport of wheelchair football is growing, with Wheelchair Auskick now giving participants the opportunity to learn the game as kids through to playing VWFL and aspiring to represent their state at the national championships. 

“We also have the VWFL Community competition, which allows participants to play for pure enjoyment or develop their skills as they push for higher honours. 

For more infomation head over to the VWFL page on the AFL Victoria Website.

Check out each teams confirmed Primary and Supplementary Lists HERE

The full fixture can be found HERE