St Kilda’s Wheelchair Football side will commence its 2023 Victorian Wheelchair Football League campaign later this month, with the competition expanding to feature a Community League (CWFL) for the first time.
The Saints’ VWFL side will begin their sixth season with a double-header against Hawthorn and Collingwood on Sunday 21 May to coincide with Sir Doug Nicholls Round, missing the opening week’s action due to an allocated bye.
Both St Kilda squads will play one match at RSEA Park, Moorabbin in the final match of the season Sunday 27 August, with a finals series to follow in the ensuing weeks.
It will be the first time the Saints’ headquarters will be played for VWFL premiership points, with marquee matches at Oakleigh, Greensborough and Tullamarine to take place throughout the season.
Nathan Wilburn was named as captain during a pre-game ceremony at Friday’s AFL game at Marvel Stadium – presented by community sponsors Pepper Money – and will be flanked by co-vice-captains Nick Briant and Patrick McKay.
Caitlyn Alger and Jeremy O’Halloran have been named as captain and vice-captain respectively of the Community League side.
St Kilda welcomed eight new faces across both line-ups, with four Community League players – Nathan Tanner, Piers Wall, Mark Walker and Jeremy O’Halloran – eligible to play across both competitions as part of the club’s VWFL supplementary list.
Pepper Money will again support the club’s community football programs, generously donating $5000 for the upcoming VWFL season.
2023 Robert Rose Foundation Victorian Wheelchair Football League fixture
| Round | Opponent | Date | Time | Venue | Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BYE | Sunday 7 May | - | - | - |
| 2 (Game 1) | Hawthorn | Sunday 21 May | 12:00pm | Boroondara Sports Complex | Sir Doug Nicholls Round |
| 2 (Game 2) | Collingwood | Sunday 21 May | 2:00pm | Boroondara Sports Complex | Sir Doug Nicholls Round |
| 3 | Richmond | Sunday 28 May | 12:00pm | Boroondara Sports Complex | - |
| 4 | Essendon | Sunday 4 June | 12:00pm | Boroondara Sports Complex | - |
| 5 | BYE | Sunday 18 June | - | - | - |
| 6 | Hawthorn | Wednesday 21 June | 6:30pm | Oakleigh Recreation Centre | - |
| 7 | Essendon | Sunday 25 June | 12:00pm | Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre | - |
| 8 | BYE | Saturday 1 July | - | - | - |
| 9 | Richmond | Sunday 9 July | 1:30pm | Wurdi Baierr Stadium Torquay | - |
| 10 | Collingwood | Sunday 16 July | 12:00pm | Boroondara Sports Complex | - |
| 11 (Game 1) | Essendon | Sunday 23 July | 12:00pm | Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre | Pride Round |
| 11 (Game 2) | Richmond | Sunday 23 July | 3:00pm | Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre | Pride Round |
| 12 | BYE | Sunday 6 August | - | - | - |
| 13 | Hawthorn | Sunday 20 August | 12:00pm | Boroondara Sports Complex | - |
| 14 | Collingwood | Sunday 27 August | 12:00pm | RSEA Park, Moorabbin | St Kilda Marquee |
2023 Community Wheelchair Football League fixture
| Round | Opponent | Date | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BYE | Sunday 7 May | - | - |
| 2 | Richmond | Sunday 28 May | 11:00am | Boroondara Sports Complex |
| 3 | Essendon | Sunday 4 June | 11:00am | Boroondara Sports Complex |
| 4 | BYE | Sunday 18 June | - | - |
| 5 | Hawthorn | Wednesday 21 June | 5:30pm | Oakleigh Recreation Centre |
| 6 | Essendon | Sunday 25 June | 12:30pm | Boroondara Sports Complex |
| 7 | BYE | Saturday 1 July | - | - |
| 8 | Richmond | Sunday 9 July | 1:00pm | Boroondara Sports Complex |
| 9 | Collingwood | Sunday 16 July | 11:00am | Boroondara Sports Complex |
| 10 (Game 1) | Collingwood | Sunday 30 July | 11:00am | Boroondara Sports Complex |
| 10 (Game 2) | Richmond | Sunday 30 July | 1:00pm | Boroondara Sports Complex |
| 11 | BYE | Sunday 6 August | - | - |
| 12 | Hawthorn | Sunday 20 August | 1:00pm | Boroondara Sports Complex |
| 13 | Collingwood | Sunday 27 August | 11:00am | RSEA Park, Moorabbin |
