Waranga North East Football Association

The Waranga North East Football Association was established in 1913 as an Australian Rules football association which was based in the North East and Upper Goulburn Valley regions of Victoria and was active up until 1976.

History

In May 1913 representatives from Avenel, Euroa, Murchison, Nagambie and Seymour met at the Tabilk Hotel, Tabilk and formed the Waranga North East Football Association, with a draw being established with the first round of matches taking place on Wednesday, 21 May 1913.

Broadford hold the record with four, for the most consecutive premiership wins in a row, which they achieved twice between 1924 and 1927 and later on between 1971 and 1974.Amazingly, Broadford defeated Seymour in all eight grand finals.

Three clubs went through the season as undefeated premiers: Nagambie in 1919 and 1938, Seymour in 1923 and Euroa in 1963 and 1969.

In 1926, J P Minogue, from Seymour (one of the founders of the association) was presented with a Life Membership gold medal for his services rendered.

In 1939 the WNEFA went into recess, with Euroa, Nagambie and Seymour joining the Goulburn Valley Football League and Yea joining the Alexandra Mansfield Football Association. Broadford withdrew from the competition in 1939, due to the closure of the local paper mills.

Mick Minogue (Avenel) was secretary of the former North East Football Association and then the WNEFA from February 1908 to 1939 and never missed a delegate's meeting during that time.

The original colours of the WNEFA representative jumper were blue and gold.

In May 1950, the WNEFA changed its name to the Waranga North East Football League.

In 1960, Bill Burns was presented with a WNEFL Life Membership. Burns was a former coach of Broadford and association delegate.

In October, 1960, the WNEFL was granted major league status by the Victorian Country Football League.

The Bonnie Doon senior team played in nine consecutive WNEFL Reserves grand finals between 1956 and 1964.

In 1966, Dick Tossol from Thornton received a Life Membership of the WNRFL.

Seymour made a record ten consecutive grand finals between 1966 and 1975, winning premierships in 1966 and 1975, but were also runner up for an incredible eight consecutive years between 1967 and 1974.

Clubs

*Alexandra - 1927 to 1935, 1947 to 1976. Joined the Yarra Ranges Football & Netball League in 1977.
* Avenel - 1913 to 1955. Merged with Longwood FC in 1956. Reformed in 1976 & joined the Kyabram District Football League.
* Avenel / Longwood - 1956 to 1969 in WNEFA 2nds. Longwood FC reformed & joined the Kyabram District Football League in 1970.
* Bonnie Doon - 1953 to 1964. WNEFA 2nds. Joined the Benalla & District Football League in 1965.
* Broadford - 1921 to 1938, 1947 to 1976. Joined the Riddell District Football League in 1977.
*Euroa - 1913 to 1930, 1934 to 1938, 1947 to 1970. Joined the Goulburn Valley Football League in 1971.
* Kilmore - 1921 to 1931, 1933 to 1937. Joined the Hume Highway Football Association in 1938.
* Longwood - 1919. Joined the Hume Highway Football Association in 1920. (1955 - WNRFA 2nds). Merged with Avenel in 1956. Reformed & joined the Kyabram District Football League in 1970.
*Mansfield - 1946 to 1976. Joined the Tungamah Football League in 1977.
* Murchison - 1913 to 1914. Joined the Goulburn Valley Football League in 1919.
*Nagambie - 1913 - 1914, 1919 to 1938. Joined the Goulburn Valley Football League in 1939.
*Seymour - 1913 to 1938. Joined the GVFL in 1939. Played in the Hume Highway Football League in 1940, 1945 & 1946. 1947 to 1975 - WNEFA. Joined the Goulburn Valley Football League in 1976.
* Strathbogie - 1955 to 1961. WNEFA 2nds.
*Tallarook - 1920 to 1921
* Thornton / Acheron Valley - 1949 to 1956. Changed club name to Thornton / Eildon District in 1957.
* Thornton / Eildon District - 1957 to 1976. Joined the Yarra Valley Mountain Football League in 1977.
* Yarck - 1955 to 1957. WNEFA 2nds. Folded?
* Yea - 1924 to 1938, 1947 to 1976. Joined the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League in 1977.

WNEFA Grand Finals

;Seniors

*The John Gordon (MLA) Shield: 1913 - 1926
*The Mick Minogue Shield: 1927 - 1938

* - 1919 & 1938: Nagambie undefeated. 1923: Seymour undefeated. 1963 & 1969 - Euroa undefeated.

;Reserves

* - 1964: Euroa were undefeated premiers

;Thirds
*Waranga North East JUNIOR Football Association: 1925 & 1926
*Graham Diggle Shield. 1961 - 1976

* - 1925: Seymour Imperials were undefeated premiers.
* - 1963: Broadford lost the premiership on a protest from Alexandra, as Broadford played an ineligible player.
* - 1969: Euroa were undefeated premiers.

Most Premierships

;Most Senior Premierships / Runners Up

Best and Fairest Award Winners

The initial best and fairest award was donated by the Kia Ora company in 1948.
Then Mr. Keith D. Bryant, a local Yea businessman and councillor, donated the WNEFA best and award trophy from 1949 onwards. Bryant was also Vice President of the WNEFA in 1950, under President, Harry Alexander. and President in 1951.

* - 1953: Alan Willis (Avenel) finished as runner up under the old count back system.
* - 1956: Geoff Baker was the father of former Avenel and Essendon player, Leon Baker.
* - 1957: Ian Hughes, also won the 1958 Kyabram & District Football League best and fairest award, playing with Miepol FC. Father of former international cricketer, Merv Hughes.
* - 1966: Peter Tossol Snr was the father of former Melbourne players, John Tossol and Peter Tossol junior.
* - 1970's: John Bordignon (Broadford FC), won two WNEFA best & fairest awards, in 1970 & ?

Senior Leading Goal Kicking Winners

;Seniors

WNEFA Inter-league matches

*1933 - GVFL: 11.21 - 87 d WNEFA: 7.10 - 52
*1949 - GVFL: 14.19 - 103 d WNEFA: 6.9 - 45
*1950 - Murray Football League: 11.16 - 82 d WNEFL: 7.7 - 49
*1951 - WNEFL: 10.17 - 77 d GVFL: 8.26 - 74
*1961 - GVFL: 19.18 - 132 d WNEFL: 11.13 - 79
*1963 - WNEFL: d GVFL:8/6/63 at Seymour.
*1963 - South West FL: 10.14 - 74 d WNEFL: 9.4 - 58 10/6/63 at Shepparton.
*1965 - WNEFL: 13.20 - 98 drew with South West FL:14.14 - 98, at Seymour. 12/6/65.
*1965 - South West FL: 15.15 - 105 d WNEFL: 8.14 - 62, at Shepparton. 14/6/65.
*1967 - O&MFL: 15.18 - 108 d WNEFL: 7.6 - 48 at the Wangaratta Showgrounds

Office Bearers

The table below contains a list of the NEFA (1891 - 1912) and WNEFA Office Bearers from 1913 to 1976.

WNRFL Life Members

In an 1966 article in the Broadford Courier, the WNRFL constitution allowed for seven life members and when Dick Tossol received his in 1966, he was the seventh recipient.

External links

Waranga North East Football Association
via Footypedia
Up the Rebels: A history of the Alexandra Football Club in the 20th CenturyA photo of the Waranga North East FA Rep Jumper1904 - North Eastern FA Premiers: Seymour FC team photo1919 - Waranga North East FA Premiers: Nagambie FC team photo1922 - Waranga North East FA Premiers: Euroa FC team photo1932 - Waranga North East FA Premiers: Avenel FC team photo1934 - Waranga North East FA teams: Seymour FC & Nagambie FC teams1935 - Waranga North East FA teams: Seymour FC & Yea FC team photos1937 - Waranga North East FA Semi Final teams: Euroa FC & Nagambie FC team photos1946 / 47 - Euroa FC team photo1949 - Waranga North East FA teams: Mansfield FC & Seymour FC team photos1954 or 1955 Avenel FC team photo1955 - Waranga North East FA teams: Avenel FC & Yea FC team photos1956 - Waranga North East FA teams: Mansfield FC & Seymour FC team photos1963 - Waranga North East FA Premiers: Euroa FC team photo1965 - Waranga North East FA Premiers: Euroa FC team photo1965 - Euroa FC Thirds team photo1969 - Waranga North East FA Thirds Premiers: Euroa FC team photo1968 - Waranga North East FA Grand Final: Yea v Seymour Video

References

{{Reflist

Australian rules football clubs in Victoria (state)
1913 establishments in Australia
Sports clubs and teams established in 1913
Australian rules football competitions in Victoria (state)

Victoria, Former competitions in