Port Melbourne joins Victorian Blind Football League

The Victorian Blind Football League (VBFL) will be bigger and better than ever in 2024, with the Port Melbourne Football Club joining the competition.

Port Melbourne will become the first VFL team in history to have a blind team competing in the VBFL, marking another big step in the continued development of the competition.

“We are thrilled to have the Borough Blind team joining our family. It is a wonderful opportunity for the club, and we can’t wait to kick off the season on the 11th of May” Port Melbourne General Manager Sophie Williams said.

The VBFL is run by AFL Victoria and was first contested in 2018. Clubs compete in a six-week competition at a dedicated facility which is set up for those with visual impairment. Teams are made of 10 players, and all teams are mixed.

The league featured 3 teams in 2023, with the Hawthorn Football Club fielding two teams and the St Kilda Football Club one team. The league has grown from 16 participants in the 2018 inaugural season to 38 in 2023, and is now set to expand even further.

“AFL Victoria is thrilled to see a new team added to the Victorian Blind Football League in 2024 and for that team to be from such an historic and respected organisation, the Port Melbourne Football Club, makes it even more meaningful. Congratulations to everyone involved on the establishment of the Borough Blind team," Head of AFL Victoria, Greg Madigan, said.

“The VBFL is a fantastic competition that provides players with a vision impairment a way to participate in our great game. For the competition to add a new team alongside teams from St Kilda and Hawthorn shows important progress for the game and supports AFL Victoria’s objective to provide welcoming and inclusive formats and competitions to allow more people to experience Australian rules football.”

The inaugural coach of Port Melbourne, Anthony McDonald, is excited about what his team could produce in their first season.

“I’m honoured to coach our team of amazing and talented players and be part of such a historic club in Port Melbourne, especially in its 150th year," McDonald said.

"Our team is a great combination of skill, speed and experience which will make us very competitive in season 2024 and we will be giving 100% every game to make our club and supporters proud. It will be great to see our loyal fans cheering us on this season.”

The competition kicks off on Saturday 11th May 2024 and a finals carnival weekend will take place in late July.

For more information on the VBFL please visit Victorian Blind Football League (VBFL) | AFL Victoria