Netball History

The Colac & District Football League Netball Association was formed in 1972, as a result of the disbandment of the Polwarth Football League and four of their member clubs, being Apollo Bay, Birregurra, Forrest and Lorne, entering the Colac & District Football League.

Netball was a very strong part of the former Polwarth League and the following four clubs, Apollo Bay, Birregurra, Forrest and Lorne decided to call a meeting of all Colac & District Football League clubs to gauge the interest in forming a netball competition.

A meeting was held on Sunday the 26th March 1972 and the Colac & District Football League Netball Association (CDFLNA) was formed with 10 member clubs. The first President was Marion Mathews from Forrest and the Secretary/Treasurer was Kate Harrington also from Forrest. At this meeting it was decided that two competitions would be offered for the inaugural season these being Seniors and Seconds, the same as the football.

On Saturday the 15th April 1972 the first netball games were played within the CDFLNA with 18 teams taking the court for the first round of matches.

Over the years, a number of clubs moved between the CDFLNA and other local Association and Leagues, including the Geelong & District Football Netball League and the now defunct Heytesbury Mt Noorat Football League.

2011 when the CDFLNA had 11 member clubs and the competition being expanded to six grades, 66 teams played, which equates to over 660 players taking to the court each week.

In 2019 the Colac & District Football League Netball Association amalgamated with the Colac & District Football Netball League and remains today offering netball for all age groups from seniors through to 13 & Under.

CLUBNICKNAMEYEARS IN COMPPREMIERS WONPREMIERSHIP YEARS
AlvieSwans1972 –121985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994,  2006, 2019, 2022
Apollo BayHawks1972 –21972,1973
BirregurraSaints1972 –31979, 1983,1984
Colac ImperialsCats1982–1983, 1986 –71989, 1995, 1999, 2001, 2012, 2013, 2014
Irrewarra-BeeacBombers1986 –131997,1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2023
LorneDolphins1972 –12017
Otway DistrictsDemons1982–1993, 2003 –None
SimpsonTigers2003 –12018
South ColacKangaroos1974, 1979, 1983, 1986 –        22015, 2016
Western EaglesEagles1996 –11996