Bayswater Strikers / Berwick / Blackburn New Hope / Crossway / Croydon City / Dandy Casuals / Doncaster Rovers / Donvale Presbyterian / Eastern United / FC CityLife / Gideon's Warriors / Knox / Lilydale Eagles / Maroondah United / Meadow Park / Mitcham Baptist Church / Monash Promise Church / Monbulk Rangers / Moonee Valley Knights / Mooroolbark Baptist / Mt Evelyn / Northen Eagles / One / Rowville Eagles / St Hilarys / St Pauls / Whitehorse United / Yarra Valley
The VCFA is the Victorian Branch of the Christian Football Federation Australia.
We exist to: bring glory to God through participation in a church-oriented soccer competition organised for Saturday play; to promote Christian friendship between players, officials, and supporters of participating teams, and; to foster the development of soccer skills and the understanding that it is of paramount importance that all games be played in the best spirit of Christian sportsmanship.
We aspire to continue to support Christian families by maintaining aChristian-led organisation through which our member communities can provide quality organised football, communities where we can teach and encourage our players to choose and maintain correct Godly responses on the sporting field and in all situations in life. We aim to encourage the establishment of similar Christian sporting organisations throughout the wider community, and plan to grow and develop our brand with the highest priority of reaching the lost for Christ.
We believe football can bring people together from all walks of life, from all abilities, from all stages.
We hope to facilitate a community spirit in an environment that is set apart from what is considered normal, and make it normal – that is, a loving, Christian community where God is honoured, biblical values are upheld and we can play the game we love through it all.
We want all people, regardless of age, gender, ability, nationality or background, to love the game, to be able to participate, be active, contribute and inspire others to get involved.
We want all people to have powerful connections with football through positive and memorable football experiences and powerful connections with each other and ourGod while doing so.
We know that God has created all people in His image, regardless of whether they believe in Christ. We show proper respect and honor because created souls are of more value than all the wealth in the world (Luke 10:33–34; 1 Corinthians 10:34).
We are polite, courteous and we care more about the person than the role that they play (be it match official, club leader, team management, player or spectator).
We listen to each other and welcome new ideas. We are punctual, prepared, present and professional. Let all that you do be done in love (1 Corinthians 16:14).
Be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble
(1Peter 3:8).
When played well, football is unity on display. Players come from different races and different backgrounds.However, when they get on the field, they harmonize their differences toward a common goal. They do this because the goal is larger than their individual preferences.
We join together representing the kingdom of God for the glory of God. We value diversity in ALL that we do and we encourage and embrace belonging.
Because of who we are in Christ, we can step out boldly and live distinctively - confident that God will use us to show Christ to a world of sport desperately in need of him.
We can hold ourselves and each other accountable. The life of a Christian in sport is best lived in community and this is reiterated with collective nouns throughout Ephesians - ‘us’ and ‘we’.
A person of integrity seeks to follow the Lord's will in everything. ‘I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives..’ (1 Chronicles 29:17)
Being a child of God is our identity above being a captain, coach, player or referee. It is an identity which is unshakeable, and which means we can know what it is to be truly loved and truly cared for, and how to truly love and care for our football communities.
‘Sport speaks to people in a language they can understand’ - Nelson Mandela.
Football can transcend boundaries and provide opportunities for all human beings regardless of race, colour, religion, age, physical ability, circumstance or economic background, to connect with each other and the world around them.
Psalm 133:1 (NIV) tells us, ‘How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!’
Being in a loving, football community can give us the chance to be around people at different stages of their faith journey—and to bear their burdens alongside them
(Galatians 6:2).
Sportsmanship is the ability to win without bragging, lose without complaining, and play while respecting others. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord (Colossians 3:23).
Just like in the body of Christ, we each have different talents and strengths, that when used together, can accomplish great things. (1 Corinthians 12:27)
No one person can win without the help and support of others.
This includes the officials, spectators, and teammates before, during, and after games or events. Even the opposing team, their coaches, and fans deserves respect. 'Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves' - Philippians 2:3.
This includes governing bodies, referees, coaches and captains.
We believe in humility and respect for those in charge, no matter who they are
(1 Peter 5:5)
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself'. - Matthew 22:37
Our philosophy to ‘bring people together to play football at all levels in a way that reflects our Christian values’ underpins our desire to put God first in our lives, honour our family second and love football and our communitythereafter. We understand there is more to life than football, and we seek tofirst Love God and grow His Kingdom and use our footballing community as ameans to do so. This is our calling and our ministry.
Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you. - Matthew 28: 19-20
In the VCFA, we believe there is no one individual more important than another. We are all able to develop by supporting each other and this is the greatest lesson we can implement as individuals, as clubs, as communities and as an association. Our development is all derived from players, coaches, leadership, parents and friends in our community all pulling together in the same direction.
Develop well rounded young players through an appropriate football environment which teaches respect, inclusivity, integrity, community and sportsmanship
Provide an inclusive environment for every player from all walks of life which allows freedom of expression and creativity and helps the player to fall in love with the game
Encourage our clubs to facilitate best-practise player learning; to constantly improve club football-knowledge base through education; to offer the best Christian football environment to our clubs and players; and to provide best-practise administration to support our clubs’ growth and development
Provide an inclusive development pathway; to Encourage leadership through mentor coaching and refereeing. Encourage an appreciation for the association, our clubs, volunteers, administrators and officials
