History of Superules

Superules was conceived from the idea for players, 35 years and over, being able to continue playing the sport they love, but without the heavy commitment required during their earlier days in the sport. Superules was formulated in the country areas of Victoria by founder John Hammer and other like minded football fanatics during the 1980 season and grew from these in the following way:

Inaugural Meeting at Nhill (Victoria) to form Superules

Wimmera versus Melbourne Superules curtain raiser match at the Ballarat Grand Final.  Best Crowd of seven seasons.

Wimmera played Ballarat in the first programmed game in Victoria.

Canberra versus Victoria - the first representative Superules match.

Melbourne versus Victoria Country - curtain raiser to VFA preliminary final.

Victoria team travelled to Darwin to play Northern Territory and lost

Inaugural Fixtures played in Perth

A Western Victoria team lost to Adelaide at West Torrens

North East Victoria played Darwin at Darwin

Melbourne played Canberra at Lavington

Exhibition match at Launceston to launch Superules in Tasmania

Combined Melbourne versus South West Victoria at Hamilton

Interstate match:  South Australia versus Victoria at Nhill

Appointment of a National Administrator

Appointment of inaugural Committee in Western Australia and formulation of fixtures for 1983 season with four teams; Northern Districts, Victoria Park, Fremantle & Swanbourne.

Start of Superules first organised competition.  Fourteen teams in Western & Central Victoria.

Two oldest teams ever to play Australian Football average age 47 years, at Warracknabeal.  A.C.T. versus Western Victoria at Warracknabeal.

Western Victoria combined team played Alice Springs in their first game

Superules first meeting at Morningside F.C. Brisbane, Queensland

Inaugural National Carnival

Sports Exacto Superules Carnival at Camberwell Football Ground, Melbourne

Ansett Airlines sponsorship signed for 3 years - National directors can now attend meetings of the main national body.

Second National Carnival, Darwin, NT

Cascade National Carnival, Hobart, Tasmania

Fourth National Carnival, Perth, WA - First International match Tasmania versus Singapore.  The 1986 Carnival was the first carnival with all State and Territories represented.

Fifth National Carnival, Brisbane, Queensland.  Masterules introduced for players 40 years and over.

Sixth National Carnival, Adelaide, SA.  First Masterules competition

Seventh National Carnival, Canberra, ACT.  Introduction of two divisions for Superules Competition WA & NT unable to participate due to airline strike.

Eighth National Carnival, Melbourne, Victoria.  Superules continued with 2 divisions and saw for the first time teams that are to be promoted and relegated.  Masterules saw 8 teams complete for the first time.

Ninth National Carnival, Darwin, Opening Marrara Sporting Complex.  All Australian Team played in the 25th Umpires Pre-season Lighting Carnival.

10th National Carnival, Labrador FC Queensland Gold Coast.  Introduction of Seniorules for players 45 years and over.

WA versus Victoria Official Opening Australian Masters Games Fremantle.

11th National Championship, Hobart, Tasmania

12th National Championship, Perth, Western Australia..  WA, Qld, SA and NSW provided Seniorules teams for the Championships continue to grow.

Bruce Arlow stood down after serving as President since 1988

13th National Championships, Sydney, New South Wales

14th National Championships, Adelaide, South Australia

National Insurance Scheme introduced for players and administrators

15th National Championships, Kardinia Park, Geelong, Victoria.  First time National Carnival played on AFL ground.  Record number of 28 teams across three age divisions plus first ever over 50's match.

16th National Championships, Duntroon RMC, Canberra, ACT

17th National Championships, Darwin, Northern Territory

18th National Championships, Hobart, Tasmania

All States adopt the new name and logo of Masters Australian Football [MAF]

19th National Championships, Gold Coast, Queensland

John Morrison resigns after providing 7 years as MAF Executive Officer, Neil King takes over the reigns.

20th National Championships, Melbourne, Victoria

A team of 30 players went to Ireland to represent MAF in the 1^st Irish tour Games played in Dublin & Galway

21^st  National Carnival held in Perth at the McGilvray complex

The 2004 National carnival awarded to AFL Cairns

Dublin Masters visit and play combined MAF side in Melbourne

22^nd National Carnival played in Cairns, QLD

Australian Team Tours Ireland

23^rd National Carnival played in Adelaide, SA

24^th National Carnival played in Maroochydore, QLD

Australian Team Tours Ireland

25^th National Carnival played in Sydney, NSW

27^th National Carnival played in Cairns, Qld