The Riverina Football Association was an Australian rules football competition formed in 1924 from the following clubs - Balldale, Brocklesby Culcairn, Henty Town, Henty Rovers, Holbrook and Walla Walla.
History The Riverina Football Association was an Australian Rules Football competition formed in 1924 from the following clubs - Balldale, Brocklesby Culcairn, Henty Town, Henty Rovers, Holbrook and Walla Walla that was active for only six football seasons, up until 1929.
Interestingly, there was a Riverina Main Line Football Association that was formed in 1922 and based in Wagga Wagga. The seven club's that made up this competition were - Culcairn, Henty, Mangoplah, Wagga Federals, Wagga Newtown, Wagga Stars and Yerong Creek. This competition was only in existence for one season, with the Wagga Stars defeating Yerong Creek in the Grand Final. On the eve of the final series Culcairn, Henty, and Mangoplah withdrew from the competition, citing the fact the association refused to provide a VFL umpire for the final series.
In 1923 Mangoplah applied to re-enter the Wagga United Football Association, but the other clubs voted against them. Mangoplah then joined the Yerong Creek & District Football Association and won the minor premiership but lost their semifinal match to Culcairn. Mangoplah, as the minor premiers, exercised their right to challenge the "final" winners. Mangoplah played Culcairn in the Grand Final at Yerong Creek and won the YC&DFA premiership.
Brocklesby's golden era was certainly in the 1920s, when the club played in nine consecutive grand finals between 1923 and 1931, but only won two premierships during this successful period in 1924 and 1928, both in the Riverina Football Association.
In 1927, Culcairn secured the services of Carlton VFL player, Bill Koop as their captain-coach.
Clubs
Final ClubJumperNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEst.Years in RFARFA Senior PremiershipsFateTotalYearsBalldaleBalldale Cricket Ground, BalldaleC&DFA19061924-19290 -Moved to Corowa & District FA in 1930BrocklesbyKangaroosBrocklesby Recreation Reserve, Brocklesby19071924-192921924, 1928Moved to Corowa & District FA in 1930CulcairnLionsCulcairn Sportsground, CulcairnC&DFA18951924-19290 -Moved to Albury & District FL in 1930HentySwans, SwampiesHenty Showground, HentyC&DFA18951925-192911927Moved to Albury & District FL in 1930HolbrookBrookersHolbrook Sports Complex, HolbrookADFL18821924-192931925, 1926, 1929Moved to Albury & District FL in 1930Walla WallaHoppersWalla Walla Sportsground, Walla Walla19031924-19290 -Moved to Central Hume FA in 1930
Former ClubJumperNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEst.Years in RFARFA Senior PremiershipsFateTotalYearsHenty ImperialsHenty Showground, Henty–192419240 -Merged with Henty Rovers to form Henty following 1924 seasonHenty RoversHenty Showground, Henty–192419240 -Merged with Henty Imperials to form Henty following 1924 seasonWalla RamblersWalla Walla Sportsground, Walla Walla–192519250 -Folded after 1925 seasonYerong CreekMagpiesYerong Creek Sports Ground, Yerong CreekC&DFAc.1910s19250 -Moved to The Rock & District FA in 1926 Teams in Association per year 1924: 7 - Balldale, Brocklesby, Culcairn, Henty Imperials, Henty Rovers, Holbrook, Walla Walla. 1925: 8 - Balldale, Brocklesby, Culcairn, Henty, Holbrook, Walla Walla, Walla Ramblers, Yerong Creek. 1926: 6 - Balldale, Brocklesby, Culcairn, Henty, Holbrook, Walla Walla. 1927: 6 - Balldale, Brocklesby, Culcairn, Henty, Holbrook, Walla Walla. 1928: 6 - Balldale, Brocklesby, Culcairn, Henty, Holbrook, Walla Walla. 1929: 6 - Balldale, Brocklesby, Culcairn, Henty, Holbrook, Walla Walla.
Football Grand Finals YearPremiersScoreRunners upScoreVenueGateUmpirePremiership Cup1924 Brocklesby 7.13 - 55 Balldale 7.7 - 49 Brocklesby£40 Green Don Davis Cup. 1925 Holbrook 9.5 - 59 Brocklesby 7.7 - 49 Holbrook Tooth Cup.1926 Holbrook 12.10 - 82 Brocklesby 11.12 - 78 Culcairn £71Harrod Tooth Cup. 1927 Henty 9.15 - 69 Brocklesby 5.16 - 46 Balldale £40 Tooth Cup. 1928 Brocklesby 9.14 - 68 Culcairn 10.5 - 65 Walla Walla £60Joyce Tooth Cup. 1929 Holbrook 13.9 - 87 Brocklesby 11.18 - 84Culcairn O'Hea Tooth Cup.
Don Davis from the Brocklesby Hotel, donated the premiership cup in 1924. Tooth & Co Brewing Ltd donated a premiership cup in 1925.
Officer Bearers YearPresidentSecretaryTreasurer1924A J Andrews 1925A J Andrews 1926A J Andrews M A R Wills L C Coulter 1927A J Andrews D W Murray L C Coulter 1928 F W Alldis D W Murray L C Coulter 1929J H Balfour D W Murray L C Coulter
See also Albury & District Football League Central Hume Football Association Central Riverina Football League Coreen & District Football League Farrer Football League Hume Football Netball League South West Football League (New South Wales)
References