Hills Football League
| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1967 in the Adelaide Hills |
| Current clubs | Birdwood Blackwood Bridgewater-Callington Echunga Gumeracha Hahndorf Kangarilla Kersbrook Macclesfield Meadows Milang Mount Barker Mount Lofty Nairne Bremer United Onkaparinga Valley Torrens Valley Uraidla Districts |
The Hills Football League (HFL) is an Australian rules football league, situated in the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia, to the south east of the state capital Adelaide.
The League has over 3000 players belonging to 20 member Clubs.[1] The League's Clubs are divided into two playing Divisions:
- Division 1 (Formerly Central Division – mostly the larger towns in the Hills region);
- Division 2 (Formerly Country Division – the remaining clubs in the region).
Both divisions have their own programs for the season. There is a promotion and relegation system that received criticism in 2014 following the ultimately unsuccessful decision to relegate Echunga in the same season that they won the Central Division premiership.[2] It is the second biggest league in South Australia after the South Australian Amateur Football League.
In 2009 the Uraidla Districts Football Club became the first team in HFL history to secure all senior premierships (A,B&C) in a single season a feat that was followed by Hahndorf in 2016.
History[edit]
The Hills FL was formed in 1967 as a result of the merger of the original Hills Central FL and the Torrens Valley FL. For a number of years, the competition consisted of three divisions, firstly known as the Central Zone, the Northern Zone and the Southern Zone. This later changed to Zone 1, 2 and 3 with two years also providing a Zone 4. Eventually in 1979 the two divisions that exist today was established. The one year that was an exception was 1983 when competition was played in one division.[3]
Heathfield-Aldgate United hold the record for the most premierships won in succession from 1971 to 1977.
Grades[edit]
The HFL consists of:
- Junior Grades
- Under 14's (mini colts)
- Under 16's (junior colts)
- Under 18's (senior colts)
- Senior Grades
- A Grade (A1)
- B Grade (A2)
- C Grade (A3)
Division 1[edit]
| Jumper | Club | Nickname | Home Ground | Est | Years in comp | HFL Premierships | HFL Premiership Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Blackwood[4] | Woods | Wood Tech Oval, Blackwood | 1912 | 1987– | 3 | Div 1: 1988, 1991, 2017 |
 |
Echunga | Demons | Echunga Recreation Ground, Echunga | 1903 | 1967– | 8 | Div 1: 2014 Div 2: 1995, 1996, 2000, 2011, 2013 Div 3: 1972 Southern B: 1968 |
 |
Hahndorf[5] | Magpies | Hahndorf Oval, Hahndorf | 1887 | 1967– | 13 | Div 1: 1984, 1985, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 |
 |
Lobethal[6] | Tigers | Lobethal Recreation Ground, Lobethal | 1901 | 1967– | 5 | Div 1: 1981, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2022 |
 |
Mount Barker[7] | Barkeroos | Hanson Oval, Mount Barker | 1881 | 1967– | 8 | Div 1: 1969, 1970, 1982, 1983, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2012 |
 |
Mount Lofty District[8] | Mountain Devils | Heathfield Oval, Heathfield | 1978 | 1986– | 6 | Div 1: 1986, 1990, 2006, 2007, 2008 Div 2: 2014 |
 |
Nairne Bremer United | Rams | Nairne Oval, Nairne | 1978 | 1978–1991, 1998– | 4 | Div 1: 2023
Div 2: 1985, 1989, 2017 |
 |
Onkaparinga Valley[9] | Bulldogs | Johnston Memorial Park, Balhannah | 1967 | 1967– | 2 | Div 1: 1978, 1994 |
 |
Uraidla Districts | Demons | Uraidla Showgrounds, Uraidla | 1997 | 1997– | 5 | Div 1: 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 |
Premierships[edit]
- 1967 – Heathfield-Aldgate United
- 1968 – Heathfield-Aldgate United
- 1969 – Mount Barker
- 1970 – Mount Barker
- 1971 – Heathfield-Aldgate United
- 1972 – Heathfield-Aldgate United
- 1973 – Heathfield-Aldgate United
- 1974 – Heathfield-Aldgate United
- 1975 – Heathfield-Aldgate United
- 1976 – Heathfield-Aldgate United
- 1977 – Heathfield-Aldgate United
- 1978 – Onkaparinga Valley
- 1979 – Uraidla
- 1980 – Uraidla
- 1981 – Lobethal
- 1982 – Mount Barker
- 1983 – Mount Barker
- 1984 – Hahndorf
- 1985 – Hahndorf
- 1986 – Mount Lofty District
- 1987 – Eastern Rangers
- 1988 – Blackwood
- 1989 – Uraidla
- 1990 – Mount Lofty District
- 1991 – Blackwood
- 1992 – Hahndorf
- 1993 – Hahndorf
- 1994 – Onkaparinga Valley
- 1995 – Hahndorf
- 1996 – Uraidla
- 1997 – Hahndorf
- 1998 – Lobethal
- 1999 – Lobethal
- 2000 – Mount Barker
- 2001 – Hahndorf
- 2002 – Lobethal
- 2003 – Mount Barker
- 2004 – Mount Barker
- 2005 – Uraidla Districts
- 2006 – Mount Lofty District
- 2007 – Mount Lofty District
- 2008 – Mount Lofty District
- 2009 – Uraidla Districts
- 2010 – Uraidla Districts
- 2011 – Uraidla Districts
- 2012 – Mount Barker
- 2013 – Uraidla Districts
- 2014 – Echunga[11]
- 2015 – Hahndorf
- 2016 – Hahndorf
- 2017 – Blackwood
- 2018 – Hahndorf
- 2019 – Hahndorf
- 2020 – Hahndorf
- 2021 – Hahndorf
- 2022 – Lobethal
- 2023 – Nairne Bremer United
Division 2[edit]
| Jumper | Club | Nickname | Home Ground | Est | Years in comp | HFL Premierships | HFL Premiership Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Birdwood | Roosters | Birdwood Oval, Birdwood | 1967- | 6 | Div 2: 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1992, 1994 | |
 |
Gumeracha | Magpies | Gumeracha Oval, Gumeracha | 1887 | 1967- | 6 | Div 2: 1970, 1982, 1984, 2019, 2022, 2023 |
 |
Kangarilla | Double Blues | Kangarilla Recreation Ground, Kangarilla | 1901 | 1967–1978, 2006- | 5 | Div 2: 2006 Div 3: 1970, 1973, 1974, 1978 |
 |
Kersbrook | Blues/Brookers | Kersbrook Soldiers Memorial Park, Kersbrook | 1912 | 1971- | 10 | Div 2: 1972, 1974, 1986, 1993, 1997, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2021 |
 |
Macclesfield | Blood and Tars | Macclesfield Oval, Macclesfield | 1880 | 1967–1983, 1987- | 4 | Div 2: 1980 Div 3: 1969 Div 4: 1972, 1973 |
 |
Meadows | Bulldogs | Stringybark Park, Meadows | 1903 | 1967-1982, 2001- | 5 | Div 2: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 Div 3: 1967 |
 |
Torrens Valley | Mountain Lions | Centenary Park, Mount Torrens | 1997 | 1997- * | 3 | Div 2: 2005, 2007, 2010 |
Premierships[edit]
- 1967 Pleasant Valley
- 1968 Pleasant Valley
- 1969 Pleasant Valley
- 1970 Gumeracha
- 1971 Pleasant Valley
- 1972 Kersbrook
- 1973 Birdwood
- 1974 Kersbrook
- 1975 Birdwood
- 1976 Birdwood
- 1977 Birdwood
- 1978 Lenswood Rangers
- 1979 Lenswood Rangers
- 1980 Macclesfield
- 1981 Bridgewater
- 1982 Gumeracha
- 1983 No Division 2
- 1984 Gumeracha
- 1985 Nairne Bremer
- 1986 Kersbrook
- 1987 Barossa District
- 1988 Barossa District
- 1989 Nairne Bremer
- 1990 Barossa District
- 1991 Mount Torrens
- 1992 Birdwood
- 1993 Kersbrook
- 1994 Birdwood
- 1995 Echunga
- 1996 Echunga
- 1997 Kersbrook
- 1998 Ironbank-Cherry Gardens
- 1999 Ironbank-Cherry Gardens
- 2000 Echunga
- 2001 Meadows
- 2002 Meadows
- 2003 Meadows
- 2004 Meadows
- 2005 Torrens Valley
- 2006 Kangarilla
- 2007 Torrens Valley
- 2008 Kersbrook
- 2009 Kersbrook
- 2010 Torrens Valley
- 2011 Echunga
- 2012 Kersbrook
- 2013 Echunga
- 2014 Mount Lofty District[12]
- 2015 Kersbrook
- 2016 Bridgewater Callington
- 2017 Nairne Bremer
- 2018 Ironbank-Cherry Gardens
- 2019 Gumeracha
- 2020 Ironbank-Cherry Gardens
- 2021 Kersbrook
- 2022 Gumeracha
- 2023 Gumeracha
C-Grade Only[edit]
| Jumper | Club | Nickname | Home Ground | Est | Years in comp | HFL Premierships | HFL Premiership Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Bridgewater-Callington[13] | Raiders | Bridgewater Oval, Bridgewater | 2012 | 2013-2022, 2024- | 2 | Div 2: 1981, 2016 |
 |
Milang | Panthers | Milang Oval, Milang | 1986-2005, 2010-2017, 2021- | 0 | - |
Former Clubs[edit]
| Jumper | Club | Nickname | Home Ground | Est | Years in comp | HFL Premierships | HFL Premiership Years | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashton | Ashton Oval, Ashton | 1972-81 | 0 | - | Merged with Lenswood Rangers to form Eastern Rangers in 1983 | |||
 |
Barossa District | Bulldogs | Williamstown Oval, Williamstown | 1979 | 1987-90 | 3 | Div 2: 1987, 1988, 1990 | moved to Barossa, Light & Gawler FA in 1991 |
| Bremer | 1967-78 | 2 | Div 3B: 1974, 1978 | Merged with Nairne to form Nairne Bremer United in 1978 | ||||
.jpg) |
Bridgewater | Raiders | Bridgewater Oval, Bridgewater | 1956 | 1967-2012 | 1 | Div 2: 1981 | Merged with Callington United Eagles to form Bridgewater Callington in 2012 |
 |
Callington United Eagles[14] | Eagles | Callington Oval, Callington | 1995 | 1995-2012 | 0 | - | Merged with Bridgewater to form Bridgewater Callington in 2012 |
 |
Eastern Rangers | Saints | 1983 | 1983-96 | 1 | Div 1: 1987 | Merged with Uraidla to form Uraidla Districts in 1997 | |
 |
Heathfield Aldgate United | 1967 | 1967-78 | 9 | Div 1: 1967, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 | Merged with Stirling to form Mount Lofty District in 1978 | ||
 |
Ironbank-Cherry Gardens | Thunderers | Cherry Gardens Ironbank Recreation Ground, Cherry Gardens | 1986 | 1986-2022 | 4 | Div 2: 1998, 1999, 2018, 2020 | Merged with Bridgewater-Callington in 2023, moved to Southern Football League in 2024 |
 |
Ironbank-Cherry Gardens- Bridgewater | Ironraiders | Bridgewater Oval, Bridgewater
Cherry Gardens Ironbank Recreation Ground, Cherry Gardens |
2023 | 2023 | 0 | - | De-merged into Bridgewater-Callington and Ironbank-Cherry Gardens |
|
Langhorne Creek | Tigers | Langhorne Creek Oval, Langhorne Creek | 1906 | 1967-77 | 3 | Div 3: 1975, 1976, 1977 | Moved to Great Southern Football League in 1977 |
 |
Lenswood Rangers | Lenswood Memorial Park, Lenswood | 1967 | 1967-82 | 2 | Div 2: 1978, 1979 | Merged with Ashton to form Eastern Rangers in 1983 | |
 |
Littlehampton | 1967-72 | 1 | Southern: 1968 | ||||
 |
Mount Torrens | Bombers | Centenary Park, Mount Torrens | 1967-1975, 1986-1996 |
1 | Div 2: 1991 | Merged with Sedan Cambrai in 1976 to form Mount Torrens-Cambrai.
Merged with Pleasant Valley in 1997 to form Torrens Valley | |
|
Mount Torrens-Cambrai | 1976 | 1976-85 | 0 | - | De-merged into Mount Torrens and Sedan Cambrai in 1986 | ||
| Mylor | 1967-72 | 2 | Southern B: 1967, 1970 | |||||
 |
Nairne | Nairne Oval, Nairne | 1967-78 | 0 | - | Merged with Bremer to form Nairne Bremer United in 1978 | ||
| Palmer | 1967-1970, 1972-1973 | 1 | Div 4B: 1972 | |||||
 |
Pleasant Valley | Roos | Talunga Park, Mount Pleasant | 1967-88 | 4 | Northern: 1967, 1968, 1969, 1971 | Merged with Mount Torrens in 1997 to form Torrens Valley | |
 |
Sedan Cambrai | Magpies | Cambrai Sportsground, Cambrai | 1922 | 1967-75 | 0 | - | Merged with Mount Torrens in 1976 to form Mount Torrens-Cambrai
Moved to Mid Murray FA in 1987 Moved to Riverland Independent FL in 2016[15] |
.jpg) |
Stirling | Eagles | Stirling Oval, Stirling | 1800s | 1967-78 | 0 | - | Merged with Heathfield-Aldgate United to form Mount Lofty District in 1978 |
| Uraidla | Redlegs | Uraidla Showgrounds, Uraidla | 1905 | 1967-96 | 4 | Div 1: 1979, 1980, 1989, 1996 | Merged with Eastern Rangers to form Uraidla Districts in 1997 | |
| Williamstown | Rovers | Williamstown Oval, Williamstown | 1967-73 | 0 | - | Moved to Gawler and District FL in 1974 |
AFL Players[edit]
The following were drafted to AFL club lists having previously participated in the Hills Football League.[16]
References[edit]
- ^ http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?assoc=6621&pID=1 About the League
- ^ Turner, Matt (26 September 2014). "Echunga Football Club exploring ways to avoid relegation despite winning Hills Football League flag". News Limited. Messenger Community News. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ^ http://footypedia.isgreat.org/00002257.htm Footypedia
- ^ "Blackwood Football Club". Retrieved 7 July 2009.
- ^ "Hahndorf Football Club". Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- ^ "Lobethal Football Club". Retrieved 7 July 2009.
- ^ "Mt Barker Football Club". Retrieved 7 July 2009.
- ^ "Mt Lofty Football Club". Archived from the original on 9 July 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
- ^ "Onkaparinga Valley Football Club". Retrieved 11 August 2009.
- ^ a b "Past Premiers". Hills Football League. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
- ^ "Central Div A Grade Grand FiInal". Hills Football League. Fox Sports Pulse. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ^ "Country Div A Grade Grand Final". Hills Football League. Fox Sports Pulse. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ^ "Bridgewater Raiders". Archived from the original on 21 June 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
- ^ "Callington United Eagles Football Club". Retrieved 7 July 2009.
- ^ Dillon, Nick (5 February 2016). "Sedan-Cambrai makes eight for Independents". Murray Pioneer. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
- ^ "AFL Drafted Players". Retrieved 24 December 2013.
- ^ Rielly, Stephen (9 August 2003). "Scott Burns: Humble Pie". The Age. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
- ^ Devaney, John. "SA Football Companion - Brett James". Full Points Footy. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
- ^ Connolly, Rohan (23 November 2003). "French Plans to Stand Tall". The Age. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
- ^ Fjeldstad, Jesper (2 November 2013). "Darren Pfeiffer: It's lonely on the fringe of the AFL". Sunday Mail (SA). Retrieved 20 January 2014.
- ^ Porter, Ashley (21 June 2008). "Cubs on song as Tigers stun Port". Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
- ^ Lines, Peter (2012). South Australian Country Football Digest. Cowell: Peter Lines. pp. 227–237. ISBN 978-0-9871591-9-9.
External links[edit]
- Hills Football League Official Site
- Country Footy (Central)
- Country Footy (Country)
- Full Points Footy
Books[edit]
- Encyclopedia of South Australian country football clubs / compiled by Peter Lines. ISBN 9780980447293
- South Australian country football digest / by Peter Lines ISBN 9780987159199