AFL Victoria announces 2023 wheelchair league format

As its wheelchair code continues to grow, AFL Victoria has advised of the format for the 2023 Robert Rose Foundation Victorian Wheelchair Football League.

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 a game-changing development for the sport, AFL Victoria is launching a full pathway for people to get involved in the game with the creation of the NAB AFL Auskick Wheelchair program.

The new program, for participants aged five to 12 to experience the game and develop their skills also starts on 7th May.

In the VWFL, Essendon and Collingwood will start the season as the first match of a double-header at Boroondara Sports Complex on 7th May 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 21st May, 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 17th September

• 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 9th July and then in Round 13, two matches will be played at Red Energy Arena in Bendigo, on Sunday 20th August

• 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 second-tier Community Wheelchair Football 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 advised “after our biggest season of wheelchair footy ever 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 Community Wheelchair Football League, which allows participants to play for pure enjoyment or develop their skills as they push for higher honours."

Images: Action from the 2022 Robert Rose Foundation Victorian Wheelchair Football League. Credit: AFL Victoria.