The Southern Football League became the first metropolitan Football League to embrace Netball to the extent that it incorporated it into its name to become the Southern Football Netball League from the 2015 season onwards.

The dramatic rise in popularity after the League included a netball competition has seen the number of teams increase from seven in  the first year to fifty-one playing in six divisions in 2015.

On the same evening, the League also announced its community  partnership with beyondblue.

At the League’s season launch, the Victorian Premier, the Hon Daniel Andrews said “In particular I want to congratulate the League on its great work to grow a thriving netball comp, not as a sideline but an integral part of its being, alongside its important partnership with beyondblue raising awareness of mental health issues.”

“This League is a labour of love for so many – and there’s so much done behind the scenes, whether it’s the people who wash the kits to those who manage the books – these are the people who ensure the League has gone from strength to strength.”

“The strength and resilience of community sport and recreation is indispensable to the future of our state and our suburbs. I know this League has a great future and I wish all the clubs well as the 2015 season properly gets underway.”