Our History

The first and founding, and still going strong

L.A.Adamson, the Headmaster of Wesley College for thirty years, was the President of the Collegians Football Club for its first forty years. In 1892, Adamson established the Metropolitan Junior Football Association, which in 1932 became the Victorian Amateur Football Association. The ‘A’ Section Grand Final Cup is known as the ‘L.A.Adamson’ Cup. Adamson was driven by his religiously held conviction that games could generate loyalty and character. These noble principles were never more true than today.

Collegians were premiers of the M.J.F.A. in 1892, 1896, 1898, 1899, 1902 and 1904; of the V.A.F.A. ‘A’ Section in 1936, 1937, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1986, 1992-1993, 2011-2012, 2023 and of ‘B’ Section in 1926, 1956 and 2006, 21 Premierships all told.

Collegians is the only founding Club of the M.J.F.A./V.A.F.A. still in existence.

In the middle of 2016 the VAFA announced there would be a Women’s football competition starting in 2017. Collegians being a founding member of the men’s competition in 1892 was not going to miss being a founding member of a women’s competition and set about forming a women’s team. A game was held against Carey in August of 2016 to get the ball rolling and the women’s program has gone from strength to strength ever since.

Our women’s team’s finished second in their first year, losing both finals by less than a goal. This was followed up by expanding to 2 teams in 2018. After winning our first ever women’s premiership in 2024, we can’t wait to see what the future has in store!

From modest beginnings over 100 years ago, Collegians continues to fill a unique place in the history of Australian Rules Football. Collegians can look forward to the next 100 years with pride in the past and enthusiasm for the future.

Throughout its history, it has welcomed into its ranks not only Old Wesley Collegians, but all who wish to play amateur football under the gold and purple flag. Collegians has a life-preserving tradition and a living ethos. Its most outstanding characteristics are those of “endurance” and “fellowship”, with a strong devotion to the ideals of amateur games.

Given the cycles that operate in all of life, including sport, there will be lean years, but the collective wisdom that has guided the Club through its eventful history should endure: Sapere Aude!