WRFL prepares to welcome Aintree and VU Western Spurs

The Western Region Football League is set to welcome two new clubs next season. Here’s where they’ll fit in.

Aintree will join the competition via the junior program. Photo: Facebook.

The Western Region Football League is preparing to grow.

Two new clubs — Aintree and the VU Western Spurs — are set to enter the competition in 2023, boosting the number of junior and women’s teams.

Aintree is a newly established club which has been running an Auskick program for the past two years and with participants now getting too old for the program, it’s ready for the next step in its development.

President Nathan Brama said the club faced the prospect of losing up to 15 kids if they did not choose to move ahead with the formation of junior teams.

“This is a really exciting step for us as a club,” he said.

“We’ve joined the WRFL because of where we are based, situated between that competition and the Riddell District league. Many of our parents have affiliations with WRFL clubs.

“Our proximity to WRFL grounds was another reason for our decision. The competition is continuing to grow with the population of the western suburbs still on the rise.

“At this stage we’ll be looking at fielding two under 8 teams and an under 10s side.

“In future, we hope to see these players continue through our ranks and eventually have our own senior side.”

The VU Western Spurs, who will field a team in the women’s competition, are set to make the move from the Northern Football Netball League.

The Spurs won three premierships in the competition.

“This (move) comes as the club’s best interest to further succeed, to develop, to maintain players, volunteers & staff and to recruit new Spurs for the future,” the club said in a social media post.

“We are extremely grateful for our time with the NFNL where premierships were won, players drafted to the AFLW, our coaches stepping into the next level, our staff representing the NFNL Rep League, and players and coaches winning individual awards.

“But it’s now time for the next chapter for the club, heading into our 30th year which will be a big one.

“We are super excited about this.”

WRFL chief executive Ritchie Hinton said both clubs would be a great addition.

“I welcome Aintree FC and the VU Western Spurs to our league. We look forward to working with both clubs and seeing them participate in our great competitions,” he said in a statement.

The news is a timely boost for the WRFL with senior clubs Deer Park and St Albans expected to join the Essendon District league.