A (Very) Brief History of the Uni Blacks

Four of the 14 teams that represent Melbourne University Football Club (MUFC) play as University Blacks. Established in 1859, the MUFC is the third oldest Australian Rules football club in Australia, with only Melbourne and Geelong founded earlier. University played in the VFL between 1908 and 1914, and the club has been a powerhouse in Amateur football since 1921.

University Blacks is arguably the most famous name in Amateur football. The Blacks have won 20 senior premierships and have produced scores of famous footballers who have won Brownlow Medals, captained AFL clubs and Victoria, and won AFL best and fairest awards and premierships. After slipping down the grades in the 1980s and most of the 1990s, the Blacks are again at the pointy end of the VAFA. Four senior and five reserves premierships in the last ten years, including back to back senior premierships in 2004-2005 and most recently the 2012 and 2014 Seniors & Reserves Premier B and Premier Division doubles are a testament to this.

The home ground for the Blacks is the University Oval within the grounds of Melbourne University, named one of the ten most beautiful cricket grounds in the world. If a Blacks player is having a bad day, at least he can enjoy the superb surroundings. 

Dale Bower was appointed Senior coach for 2020 and with an experienced panel of coaching staff behind him in 2023, will ensure the Blacks are again a team to be reckoned with in Premier this season. 

While the Blacks are serious about winning on the field, we don't lose sight of the fact that football should be fun, so the off-field social program is nicely balanced between organised functions and informal gatherings.

Recruits are most welcome, so please take note of our contact details and give us a call.