Football Victoria began operation in 1884 under the name Anglo Australian Football Association of Victoria and is one of the oldest sporting associations in Victoria.[1] It has had several name changes over the years, but has survived as the governing body of soccer in Victoria since this time.
In 2009, player registrations for soccer in Victoria passed 50,000, the highest number in the federation's history.[2]
In 2018, the federation was renamed from "Football Federation Victoria" to "Football Victoria".[3]
Formation
Football Federation Victoria oversees all aspects of the sport within the state, however there are twelve regional associations that manage local leagues and competitions in their areas.
The soccer pyramid in Victoria comprises the seven levels of soccer in Victoria below the A-League. It has a hierarchical format that features promotion and relegation between all levels (aside from the A-League and regional leagues). All clubs in the system are eligible for entry to the FFA Cup, and are seeded in accordance to tier standing.
For the 2013 season, Football Federation Victoria announced a restructure of the league.[4] Tiers 5, 6 and 7, which were previously known as Provisional League 1, 2 and 3 respectively were removed, as was the Metropolitan League (tier 8). They were replaced by State League 4 and 5, divided geographically into North, East, South and West divisions, thus making State League 5 the lowest division in which are club can theoretically be promoted into the VPL. The Victorian Premier League and State League 1 to 3 remained the same.
2013 will also see the inaugural State League Champions series take place in Victoria. The champion of each league from State League 1 and below will play a finals series against the champions of other regions in their division as follows:
State League 1 North-West v South-East
State League 2 North-West vs South-East
State League 3 North-West vs South-East
State League 4 North vs West & South vs East, with winners meeting in a final
State League 5 North vs West & South vs East, with winners meeting in a final
Women's State League Div 1 South-East 10 clubs Brighton Knox United WSC Mazenod FC Mill Park SC Monash University Mooroolbark South Springvale Skye Utd FC Whitehorse United
Women's State League Div 2 South-East 10 clubs Ashburton Utd Banyule City SC Bayside Argonauts FC Beaumaris Brunswick Zebras(WVPL Champions 1996 & 1997) Doveton SC Endeavour Utd Kings Domain FC Knox City Yarra Jets
10 clubs Epping City SC FC Strathmore Greenvale United SC Melbourne University Moreland Eagles FC North City Lions Pascoe Vale FC Port Melbourne Watsonia Heights FC
10 clubs Bayswater Striker Berwick City (WVPL Champions 1992, 1993, 1994 & 1995) Dandenong City SC Langwarrin Latrobe United FC Monash City Villarreal FC Mornington Flames Noble Park Utd Richmond
