WAGFL 1988-1997
Gridiron was first played in Western Australia after a recruiting effort was organised in 1988. This also sparked interest in the local area leading to the formation of the Western Australian Gridiron Football League (WAGFL). Originally meant to only consist of two teams, the Northside Chargers and the Southside Seahawks, there was enough interest to start the league with three teams as the Bassendean Broncos (now Perth Broncos) team was formed as well. The first organised gridiron game to be played in Western Australia took place between the Southside Seahawks and Bassendean Broncos at Jubilee Oval in September 1988. The final score of the game was 2-0 in favour of the Broncos, the only score being on a safety.
After a brief three-team season in 1988 WAGFL kick started again in February 1989 with a fourth team, the Claremont Jets, being added to the league. WAGFL would also later include teams such as the Mount Lawley Bengals, Forrestfield Falcons, East Perth Vikings, West Coast Buccaneers, Westside Steelers, Wanneroo/Joondalup Bears and the Hyde Park Giants.
Separation of Gridiron in WA
In 1994 a second league was formed leaving two separate four-team leagues running.
WAGFL remaining teams at this point:
- Claremont Jets
- Mount Lawley Bengals
- Westside Steelers
- Southside Seahawks
Gridiron West 1994-Current
Gridiron West was formed as a breakaway competition in 1994, which is also a current member of Gridiron Australia.
Original Gridiron West Teams
- Bassendean/Perth Broncos
- Hyde Park Giants
- Curtin Saints
- Wanneroo/Joondalup Bears
- Rockingham Dolphins
Gridiron West later included the Southern River/Armadale Panthers, Bunbury Raiders and the West Coast Buccaneers. Due to the WAGFL folding in 1996, the Claremont Jets and Westside Steelers joined Gridiron West, with the Rockingham Dolphins merging with the Southside Seahawks to become the Rockingham Vipers. Gridiron West is now WA’s only gridiron league. Four further teams have since joined Gridiron West, those being Perth Blitz (reforming of Hyde Park Giants), The West Coast/Gosnells Fire (now defunct), the West Coast Wolverines (based in Joondalup) and the Swan City Titans.
Previous gridiron teams in Western Australia
- Northside Chargers
- Southside Seahawks
- Mount Lawley Bengals
- Forrestfield Falcons
- East Perth Vikings
- West Coast Buccaneers
- Wanneroo/Joondalup Bears
- Southern River/Armadale Panthers
- Hyde Park Giants
- Rockingham Dolphins
- Bunbury Raiders
- West Coast/Gosnells Fire
Introduction of Flag Football – 2011
In 2011 Curtin Saint’s “FLAG FOOTBALL WEST” begin the first Flag Football League in Western Australia. A total of six teams begin in this first Season of non-contact football establishing a base for the future Premier League competition.
In 2018, The Wolverines entered the ring with their own Flag Football League “WEST COAST FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE” and have held competitions each year since.
In 2021, FLAG FOOTBALL WEST and WEST COAST FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE are holding their first inter-league competition exhibition match on July 4th.
Introduction of a Women’s Gridiron League in Western Australia – 2017
In 2017, Gridiron West commenced a recruitment campaign for a Gridiron Women’s League In WA.
Over a short period of recruitment roadshow drives, we were able to secure women’s teams for the Perth Broncos, the Curtin Saints, Perth Blitz, West Coast Wolverines, The Rockingham Vipers and the Swan City Titans.
The 2017/18 season saw the very first official Women’s Gridiron season in Western Australia.
