Victorian State League
Founded | 1958 |
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Country | Australia |
State | Victoria |
Confederation | AFC |
Number of clubs | 166
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Level on pyramid | 5–9 |
Promotion to | Victorian Premier League |
Domestic cup(s) | National Australia Cup State Dockerty Cup |
Current champions | Whittlesea United (NW) Eltham Redbacks (SE) (2024) |
The Victorian State League, known as VETO Sports State League for sponsorship purposes[1] is an Australian soccer league based in Victoria that was founded in 1958 and administered by Football Victoria. It consists of five metropolitan divisions (separated by two zones for divisions 1–3, and four zones for divisions 4–5), and is used for promotion to the Victoria Premier League. The league was formerly known as the Victorian Metropolitan League from 1958 to 1984 and Victorian League from 1985 to 1990.
History
[edit]The league was formed in 1958; it has had many name changes such as Metropolitan League, and Victorian League. It was only known as State League since 1991. Prior to the 2014 season, the league was the second highest in the Victoria. In the 2012 season's first division, Pascoe Vale and Port Melbourne Sharks were promoted to the Victorian Premier League, while Whittlesea Ranges, Dandenong City and Springvale White Eagles were relegated. In the 2013 season, Heidelberg United was promoted back to the Victorian Premier League after being relegated to Victorian State League 1 in 2012.
Format
[edit]The champions and runners-up of the first division are promoted to the Victorian Premier League for the 2014 season only. The top two teams of the Victorian State League 2 South-East and North-West, the third tier in Victoria and the fourth nationally, are promoted to Victorian State League 1 the next season and the bottom two teams the State League 1 are relegated. In 2016 FFV announced that there would be relegation and promotion to be introduced in the 2017 season[2] with the champions of State League Division 1 North-West and South-East being promoted and the bottom two placed teams of Victorian Premier League 2 being relegated to State League 1 North-West and South-East.
For the 2026 season onwards, structural changes will be made where the fourth and fifith divisions will switch from four two zones in each division, and a sixth and seventh division will be added each with two zones; North-West and South-East.[3]
Current members
[edit]These are all clubs who competed in the Victorian State League in the 2024 season.[4]
Locations
[edit]Division 1
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Division 2
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Division 3
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Division 4
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Division 5
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Champions
[edit]1958–1963
[edit]Season | Division 1 North | Division 1 South | Division 2 North | Division 2 South |
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1958 | Footscray Capri | Yarra Park | Corio | West Melbourne Sicilia |
1959 | Preston Croatia | Melbourne Hungaria | Moonee Ponds | Sandringham City |
1960 | South Melbourne Hellas | Richmond | Lions | Ferntree Gully |
1961 | Lions | Preston Croatia | Alexander | Preston Makedonia |
1962 | Croatia | Richmond | Coburg United | Triestina |
1963 | Alexander | Triestina | Libertas | Park Rangers |
1964–1999
[edit]2000–2012
[edit]2013–present
[edit]Season | Division 1 | Division 2 | Division 3 | Division 4 | Division 5 | ||||||||||
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North-West | South-East | North-West | South-East | East | North | South | West | East | North | South | West | ||||
2013 | Heidelberg United | Moreland City | Springvale White Eagles | Cairnlea | Doncaster Rovers | Mooroolbark | Heidelberg Stars | Seaford United | Corio | Ringwood City | Bundoora United | St Kilda | Melton Phoenix | ||
Season | Division 1 | Division 2 | Division 3 | Division 4 | Division 5 | ||||||||||
North-West | South-East | North-West | South-East | North-West | South-East | East | North | South | West | East | North | South | West | ||
2014 | Moreland City | Eastern Lions | North Sunshine Eagles | Frankston Pines | Essendon Royals | Sandringham City | Croydon City Arrows | Upfield | St Kilda | Hoppers Crossing | Eltham Redbacks | Greenvale United | Dandenong South | Keilor Wolves | |
2015 | Western Suburubs | Mornington | Banyule City | Berwick City | Hoppers Crossing | St Kilda | Eltham Redbacks | Fawkner | Brighton | Melbourne City | Kings Domain | Mill Park | Springvale City | Spring Hills | |
2016 | Altona Magic | Mornington | Geelong | St Kilda | Geelong Rangers | Mazenod United | Brandon Park | Epping City | Skye United | Brimbank Stallions | Healesville | RMIT | Rosebud Heart | Notrh Melbourne Athletic | |
2017 | Altona Magic | Langwarrin | Altona City | Eltham Redbacks | Brimbank Stallions | Knox City | Whitlehorse United | Boroondara-Carey Eagles | Bayside Argonauts | Point Cook | East Brighton United | Craigieburn City | Sandown Lions | Laverton Park | |
2018 | Geelong | Manningham United Blues | Whittlesea United | Doveton | Epping City | Boroondara-Carey Eagles | Ashburton United | Lalor United | Monash University | Western Eagles | Monash City | Heidelberg Eagles | Chelsea | Westside Strikers Caroline Springs | |
2019 | Preston Lions | Nunawading Ciity | Fitzroy City | Boroondara-Carey Eagles | Lalor United | Collingwood City | Hampton East Brighton | Heidelberg Eagles | Rowville Eagles | Altona North | Waverley Wanderers | Uni Hill Eagles | Somerville Eagles | Barnstoneworth United | |
2020 | No competition played due to COVID-19 pandemic in Victoria. | ||||||||||||||
2021 | Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in Victoria. | ||||||||||||||
2022 | Caroline Springs George Cross | Beaumaris | Upfield | Collingwood City | Westvale Olympic | Hampton East Brighton | Chisholm United | Uni Hill Eagles | Dandenong South | Westside Strikers | St Kilda | Moonee Valley Knights | White Star Dandenong | Barwon | |
2023 | Altona City | Melbourne Srbija | Clifton Hill | Mazenod | Uni Hill Eagles | Chisholm United | St Kilda | Bundoora United | White Star Dandenong | Laverton | Knox United | Yarra Jets | Hampton Park United Sparrows | Balmoral | |
2024 | Whittlesea United | Eltham Redbacks | Keilor Park | Bayside Argonauts | Western Eagles | St Kilda | Croydon City Arrows | Plenty Valley Lions | Hampton Park United Sparrows | Surf Coast | Mount Waverley City | Heidelberg Stars | Rosebud | Lara United |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Football Victoria Welcomes VETO Sports as Official Goal & Equipment Partner". Football Victoria. 28 November 2024.
- ^ "SL1 to NPL promotion and relegation" (PDF).
- ^ "Changes to VETO Sports State League Mens & Womens structures from 2026 season". Football Victoria. 18 December 2024.
- ^ "MEN'S STATE LEAGUE 2024 FINAL LEAGUE STRUCTURES" (PDF). Football Victoria.