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 18 member Clubs.http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?assoc=6621&pID=1 About the League 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. 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 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.http://footypedia.isgreat.org/00002257.htm Footypedia
Heathfield-Aldgate United hold the record for the most premierships won in succession from 1971 to 1977.
Hills Football Association
Timeline
1902 The Hills Football Association (HFA) was formed. Founding clubs were:
Mount Barker Mylor Oakbank Woodside
Grand Final: Woodside defeated Mount Barker.
1903–1915 Participating clubs included Mount Barker until the outbreak of World War I.
1916–1918 The HFA was in recess during World War I.
1919 The HFA reformed. Participating clubs were:
Mount Barker Onkaparinga Stirling Strathalbyn Woodside
1920–1928 Participating clubs included Mount Barker.
1929 Participating clubs were:
Milang Mount Barker Rovers (minor premiers) Strathalbyn
Semi-final: Murray Bridge Rovers 8.11 (59) defeated Strathalbyn 8.5 (53) at Mount Barker.
1930–1937 The HFA was in recess.
1938–1940 The HFA resumed operations.
1941–1944 The HFA was in recess due to World War II.
1945 The HFA resumed competition. Participating clubs were:
Aldgate (this season only) Echunga (this season only) Meadows (this season only) Mount Barker Woodside
Echunga won the premiership.
1946–1947 Participating clubs included:
Hahndorf Mount Barker Woodside
1948 Participating clubs included:
Hahndorf Mount Barker Woodside
Mount Barker won the premiership.
1949 Participating clubs included:
Ashton Hahndorf Mount Barker Woodside
Ashton won the premiership.
1950 Participating clubs included:
Hahndorf Mount Barker Woodside
1951 Participating clubs included:
Hahndorf Mount Barker Onkaparinga Woodside
Onkaparinga won the premiership.
1952 Participating clubs included:
Hahndorf Mount Barker Woodside
1953 Participating clubs included:
Hahndorf Mount Barker (final season) Woodside
1954 Participating clubs included:
Hahndorf Woodside
1955 Participating clubs included:
Hahndorf (final season) Woodside
1956–1958 Participating clubs included Woodside.
1959 Participating clubs included Woodside in its final season.
1961 Participating clubs included:
Bridgewater (this season only) Heathfield Nairne Onkaparinga Stirling Uraidla
Onkaparinga won the premiership.
1962 The Hills Football Association folded.
Clubs Grades 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) Locations
Division 1 ClubJumperNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEstYears in HFLHFL Senior PremiershipsTotal Years Blackwood WoodsBlackwood Hill Reserve, BlackwoodSMFL1912 1987-3 Div 1: 1988, 1991, 2017 Hahndorf MagpiesHahndorf Oval, HahndorfHCFA1887 1967-13 Div 1: 1984, 1985, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024 Lobethal TigersLobethal Recreation Ground, LobethalTVFA1901 1967-5 Div 1: 1981, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2022Mount Barker BarkeroosHanson Oval, Mount BarkerHCFA1881 1967-8 Div 1: 1969, 1970, 1982, 1983, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2012 Mount Lofty District Mountain DevilsHeathfield Oval, HeathfieldSAFA1978 1986-6 Div 1: 1986, 1990, 2006, 2007, 2008Div 2: 2014Nairne Bremer UnitedRamsNairne Oval, Nairne–19781978-1991, 1998-5Div 1: 2023, 2025Div 2: 1985, 1989, 2017Onkaparinga Valley Onkas, BulldogsJohnston Memorial Park, Balhannah–1967 1967-3 Div 1: 1978, 1994, 2026 Uraidla Districts DemonsUraidla Showgrounds, Uraidla–1997 1997-5 Div 1: 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013
Division 2 ClubJumperNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEstYears in HFLHFL Senior PremiershipsTotal Years Birdwood RoostersBirdwood Oval, BirdwoodTVFA1880s 1967-6 Div 2: 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1992, 1994Bridgewater RaidersBridgewater Oval, Bridgewater–20122013-2022, 2024-2Div 2: 1981, 2016Echunga DemonsEchunga Recreation Ground, EchungaHCFA1903 1967-7 Div 1: 2014Div 2: 1995, 1996, 2000, 2011, 2013Div 3: 1972 Gumeracha MagpiesGumeracha Oval, GumerachaTVFA1887 1967-7 Div 2: 1970, 1982, 1984, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024 Kangarilla Double BluesKangarilla Recreation Ground, KangarillaHCFA, SFL1901 1967-1978, 2006-5 Div 2: 2006Div 3: 1970, 1973, 1974, 1978 Kersbrook Blues, BrookersKersbrook Soldiers Memorial Park, KersbrookETFA1912 1971-10 Div 2: 1972, 1974, 1986, 1993, 1997, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2021 Macclesfield Blood and TarsMacclesfield Oval, MacclesfieldHCFA, SFL1880 1967-1983, 1987-6 Div 2: 1980, 2025, 2026Div 3: 1969Div 4: 1972, 1973 Meadows BulldogsStringybark Park, MeadowsHCFA, SFL1903 1967-1982, 2001-5Div 2: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004Div 3: 1967Torrens Valley Mountain LionsCentenary Park, Mount Torrens–1997 1997- 3 Div 2: 2005, 2007, 2010
C-Grade Only ClubJumperNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEstYears in HFLHFL Senior PremiershipsTotal Years Milang PanthersMilang Oval, MilangHCFA, GSFL1881 1967-1978, 1986-2005, 2010-2017, 2021-1Div 3: 1989
Former clubs ClubJumperNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEstYears in HFLHFL Senior PremiershipsFateTotal Years Ashton SaintsAshton Oval, AshtonNNFA1907 1972-19820 -Merged with Lenswood Rangers to form Eastern Rangers in 1983 Barossa District BulldogsWilliamstown Oval, WilliamstownG&DFL1979 1987-19903 Div 2: 1987, 1988, 1990Moved to Barossa, Light & Gawler FA in 1991 Bremer Callington Oval, CallingtonRMFL1931 1967-19780 -Merged with Nairne to form Nairne Bremer United in 1978 Bridgewater RaidersBridgewater Oval, BridgewaterTVFA1956 1967-20121 Div 2: 1981Merged with Callington United Eagles to form Bridgewater Callington in 2012 Callington United Eagles EaglesCallington Oval, Callington–1995 1995-20120 -Merged with Bridgewater to form Bridgewater Callington in 2012 Eastern Rangers SaintsAshton Oval, Ashton–1983 1983-19961 Div 1: 1987Merged with Uraidla to form Uraidla Districts in 1997 Heathfield Aldgate United United, Red and GreensHeathfield Oval, Heathfield–1967 1967-19789 Div 1: 1967, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977Merged with Stirling to form Mount Lofty District in 1978Ironbank Cherry GardensThunderersCherry Gardens Ironbank Recreation Ground, Cherry Gardens–19861986-20224Div 2: 1998, 1999, 2018, 2020Merged with Bridgewater-Callington in 2023. Split from merger and moved to Southern FL in 2024Ironbank-Bridgewater-Cherry GardensIronraidersBridgewater Oval, Bridgewater and Cherry Gardens Ironbank Recreation Ground, Cherry Gardens–202320230 -De-merged into Bridgewater-Callington and Ironbank-Cherry Gardens in 2024 Langhorne Creek TigersLanghorne Creek Oval, Langhorne CreekHCFA1906 1967-19773 Div 3: 1975, 1976, 1977Moved to Great Southern FL in 1977 Lenswood Rangers RangersLenswood Memorial Park, Lenswood–1967 1967-19822 Div 2: 1978, 1979Merged with Ashton to form Eastern Rangers in 1983 Littlehampton Sky BluesDunn Park Oval, Mount BarkerHCFA1959 1967-19721 Southern: 1968Folded after 1972 season Mount Torrens BombersCentenary Park, Mount TorrensTVFA1930 1967-1975, 1986-19961 Div 2: 1991Merged with Sedan Cambrai in 1976 to form Mount Torrens-Cambrai. Merged with Pleasant Valley in 1997 to form Torrens Valley Mount Torrens-Cambrai HCFA1976 1976-19850 -De-merged into Mount Torrens and Sedan Cambrai in 1986Murraylands SwansSwansLeMessurier Oval, Murray BridgeAdFL20162019-20220 -Folded after 2022 season Mylor MagpiesMylor Oval, MylorHCFA1902 1967-19720 -Folded after 1972 seasonNairne RamsNairne Oval, NairneHCFA19031967-19780 -Merged with Bremer to form Nairne Bremer United in 1978 Palmer BloodsCollier Park, PalmerTVFA1891 1967-1970, 1972-19731 Div 4B: 1972Folded after 1973 season Pleasant Valley RoosTalunga Park, Mount PleasantTVFA1960s 1967-19964 Northern: 1967, 1968, 1969, 1971Merged with Mount Torrens in 1997 to form Torrens Valley Sedan Cambrai MagpiesCambrai Sportsground, CambraiTVFA1922 1967-1975, 2010-20150 -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 Stirling EaglesStirling Oval, StirlingTVFA1800s 1967-19780 -Merged with Heathfield-Aldgate United to form Mount Lofty District in 1978 Uraidla RedlegsUraidla Showgrounds, UraidlaTVFA1905 1967-19964 Div 1: 1979, 1980, 1989, 1996Merged with Eastern Rangers to form Uraidla Districts in 1997 Williamstown RoversWilliamstown Oval, WilliamstownTVFA1907 1967-1973 0 -Moved to Gawler & District FL in 1974
Premierships Year Division 1 Country Division/Division 2 Division 3 Division 4 2026Onkaparinga ValleyMacclesfield2 divisions (1984-)2025Nairne BremerMacclesfield 2024 Hahndorf Gumeracha 2023 Nairne Bremer Gumeracha 2022 Lobethal Gumeracha 2021 Hahndorf Kersbrook 2020 Hahndorf Ironbank-Cherry Gardens 2019 Hahndorf Gumeracha 2018 Hahndorf Ironbank-Cherry Gardens 2017 Blackwood Nairne Bremer 2016 Hahndorf Bridgewater-Callington 2015 Hahndorf Kersbrook 2014 Echunga Mount Lofty 2013 Uraidla Districts Echunga 2012 Mount Barker Kersbrook 2011 Uraidla Districts Echunga 2010 Uraidla Districts Torrens Valley 2009 Uraidla Districts Kersbrook2008 Mount Lofty Kersbrook2007 Mount Lofty Torrens Valley2006 Mount Lofty Kangarilla2005 Uraidla Districts Torrens Valley2004 Mount Barker Meadows2003Mount BarkerMeadows2002LobethalMeadows2001HahndorfMeadows2000Mount BarkerEchunga1999LobethalIronbank1998LobethalIronbank1997HahndorfKersbrook1996UraidlaEchunga1995HahndorfEchunga1994Onkaparinga ValleyBirdwood1993HahndorfKersbrook1992HahndorfBirdwood1991BlackwoodMount Torrens1990Mount LoftyBarossa District1989UraidlaNairne Bremer1988BlackwoodBarossa District1987Eastern RangersBarossa District1986Mount LoftyKersbrook1985HahndorfNairne Bremer1984HahndorfGumeracha1983Mount Barker1 division (1983)1982Mount BarkerGumeracha2 divisions (1978–1982)1981LobethalBridgewater1980UraidlaMacclesfield1979UraidlaLenswood Rangers1978Onkaparinga ValleyLenswood RangersKangarilla3 divisions (1974–1977)1977Heathfield-AldgateBirdwoodLanghorne Creek1976Heathfield-AldgateBirdwoodLanghorne Creek1975Heathfield-AldgateBirdwoodLanghorne Creek1974Heathfield-AldgateKersbrookKangarilla1973Heathfield-AldgateBirdwoodKangarillaMacclesfield1972Heathfield-AldgateKersbrookEchungaMacclesfieldCentral ZoneNorthern ZoneSouthern Zone3 divisions (1967–1971)1971Heathfield-AldgatePleasant ValleyEchunga1970Mount BarkerGumerachaKangarilla1969Mount BarkerPleasant ValleyMacclesfield1968Heathfield-AldgatePleasant ValleyLittlehampton1967Heathfield-AldgatePleasant ValleyMeadows
AFL Players