Darwin Football Association

Welcome to the Darwin Football Association (DFA), a special football league in Tasmania, Australia. This league is famous because it has teams from around Burnie and the West Coast of Tasmania, including a unique gravel playing field in Queenstown!

A Quick History

The DFA started in 1951. Before this, there was another league from 1938 to 1944, but it was a bit different. The league began with just four teams: Yeoman, Tewkesbury, APPM, and Montello. As time went on, the league grew as more teams joined, creating lots of excitement and competition.

Teams and Changes Through the Years

Early Years (1951-1953): The league began with four teams but grew to eight by 1953.
Growing and Merging (1959-2006): Teams merged, like Mooreville and Somerset, which became Cam FC. The league welcomed new teams like the Queenstown Crows and saw others leave or change names.
Facing Challenges (1986-2024): The league adapted to new competition formats and overcame challenges like player shortages and the 2020 season cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Clubs in the DFA

Here's a table showing the current clubs, their nicknames, how long they've been in the DFA, and their championship wins:

Club	Nickname	Years in DFA	Premierships
Cuprona	Bulldogs	1965–	1977, 2000
Queenstown	Crows	1994–	1997, 2014, 2021
Ridgley	Saints	1952–	Many wins from 1955 to 2009
Somerset	Kangaroos	1952–1954, 1959–	Multiple wins from 1960 to 2019
South Burnie	Hawks	1951–1996, 1999–	Many wins from 1954 to 2023
Yeoman	Robins	1951–	Wins include 1951, 1952, 1978, 1993, 1998
Yolla	Demons	1951–	Multiple wins from 1979 to 2022

Former Clubs

Myalla Tigers: Active from 1953 to 2006, the Tigers had several successful seasons, winning championships in the years like 1957, 1958, and more until 2003.

Structural Changes and Challenges (1986-2024)

Over the span of almost four decades, the Darwin Football Association underwent significant structural modifications and encountered various challenges that shaped the trajectory of the league from 1986 to 2024.

The introduction of the final five in 1986 altered the competition format. However, in 2019, Natone went into recess due to player shortages, impacting the league.

The complete cancellation of the 2020 season, a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, presented an unprecedented challenge. Natone’s re-entry in 2021 brought some stability, but its subsequent re-entry into recess prior to the 2024 season highlighted ongoing issues.

These structural changes and challenges have tested the resilience and adaptability of the Darwin Football Association over the years.

Fun Facts

The DFA is the only league in Australia where some games are played on a gravel surface.
It's a league full of action and excitement, where football fans gather to cheer on their local teams.

The Darwin Football Association brings together communities for thrilling football matches and creates lasting memories for players and fans alike!