 | |
| Founded | 1910s |
|---|---|
| Ceased | 1976; 50 years ago (1976) |
| State |  Victoria |
TheCYMS Football Association (CYMSFA), also known as theCYMS Football League (CYMSFL), was anAustralian rules football competition played in the state ofVictoria.[1] The competition was managed by the Catholic Young Men's Society of Victoria (CYMS).[2][3]
The Victorian CYMS was founded in 1892, but it would not be until the 1910 that a football competition (the CYMSFA) was established.[2][4][5] The Port Melbourne CYMS team were the early dominate club winning the early premierships each year. Various CYMS-affiliated teams, including theWilliamstown CYMS Football Club (founded in 1886), played in competitions prior to 1912.[6][7]
The CYMSFA grew significantly throughout the 1930s, with a record 32 teams participating in the 1930 season.[8] By 1933, a total of 468 CYMS members played for football clubs across the competition.[2]
From its early years, the competition was split into two divisions, "A Grade" and "B Grade".[9] "C Grade" was established in 1951, with all three divisions split into "North" and "South" sections throughout the 1950s.[10][11]
Beginning in the 1960s, discontent continued to fester, a breakaway association was proposed and many clubs jumped at the chance. The main gripe was that there was no senior pathway for teenagers to stay at the club that they had played juniors at. The YCW wanted to establish a pathway for their juniors so a breakaway association (YCWNFA) was formed over the summer of 1962/63. This new competition took most of the clubs. 28 clubs left the CYMS to found the new association. The CYMS were left with 10 clubs.
After this, the CYMSFA's playing numbers began to decline.[12] This continued when Williamstown CYMS moved to theFootscray District Football League (FDFL) at the end of 1964, although the club returned to the CYMSFA in 1969 after struggling to compete with FDFL clubs who were paying money to players.[6]
In 1976, the CYMS Football Association officially disbanded.[13] Williamstown CYMS life member Peter Buckley later recalled:
"The CYMS comp folded as a result of a fight which occurred between South Melbourne and Kensington at Debney's Paddock. The police were called and fired a gun, and basically read the Riot Act. Those two sides were suspended, and we (Williamstown CYMS) were elevated into the final four. We were knocked out in the first semi, but the competition itself soon folded as a result of turbulence and falling away in numbers. It was an old comp, but no longer had significant administration. We had to find another competition. At the time, I wanted us to join theAmateurs, but it was felt that the travel would be a disincentive to the players, so we joined theWest Suburban League (WSFL)."[6]
The competition's various clubs have since folded, merged or renamed, and as of 2024, Williamstown CYMS is the only club from the CYMSFA to still include "CYMS" in its name while competing in theVictorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA).[14][15]
| Club | Colours | Nickname | Former league | Est. | Seasons | Premierships | Fate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Final | |||||||
| Murrumbeena[16] |  | 1941−1954 | ||||||
| South Caulfield CYMS |  | 1890s | 1940s−1956 | Merged withCamden in 1957 to formSouth Caulfield | ||||
| St Kevin's Ormond[17] |  | 19??−19?? | Moved toESCFA, later merged withSt Andrews Gardenvale in 1993 to formCaulfield | |||||
| Thornbury CYMS[18][19] |  | Bears | 1930s | 19??−19?? | Moved toVAFA, later merged withReservoir Rovers in 1988 to formThornbury Rovers | |||
| West Preston |  | Roosters | − | 1948 | 1948−1963 | Moved toYCWFL, later merged withReservoir-Lakeside to formWest Preston Lakeside in 1998 | ||
| Williamstown CYMS |  | CYs | − | 1886 | 1912−1964 | 8 | 1973 | Moved toWSFL in 1977 andVAFA in 1983 |
| FDFL | 1969−1976 | |||||||
With the inclusion of extra clubs a "B " grade competition was started. Top team in B Grade played off against the top 3 of A Grade for premiership.
A Grade
| B Grade
|
A restructure of B grade competition, split into two competitions based on demographics. In B grade top 4 from both competitions played knock out finals.
A Grade
| B Grade East
| B Grade West
|
A restructure of B grade competition, instead of East-West it was North-South. In B grade top 4 from both competitions played knock out finals until 1936
A Grade
Central
| B Grade North
North
| B Grade South
South
|
A Grade
| B Grade North
| B Grade South
| C Grade North
| C Grade South
|
At the end of 1958 the association reorganised into two A grades and 2 B grade competitions.
A Grade North
| A Grade South
| B Grade North
| B Grade South
|
At the end of 1962 most of the clubs broke away and formed the YCWNFA.
A Grade
| B Grade
|