The North Adelaide District Football Association (NADFA) was an Australian rules football competition based in the northern and north-eastern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia until it merged with the East Torrens Football Association to form the Norwood-North Football Association at the end of the 1968 season. It was formed in 1921 under the patronage of the North Adelaide Football Club with complete control over its own affairs.
History
1921 - Inaugural six Clubs - Abattoirs (based at Gepps Cross), Gaza (Founded in 1903 and based at Klemzig), Islington United, Mitcham (Founded in 1907 and based at Hawthorn Oval), North Adelaide Ramblers, Walkerville (Founded in 1901). Mitcham defeated North Adelaide Ramblers for the premiership at Prospect Oval.https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/49087604
1926 - The following ten teams competed: Prospect, Gaza, North Adelaide Ramblers, Walkerville, Chicago, Hope Valley, Athelstone, North Adelaide Juniors, Northfield, and Salisbury. The last three named are new teams to the association.https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/264036990
The association came into controversy in 1927 when a player, J. Warming, was not permitted to play for league club West Adelaide due to a 12-month suspension received for striking an umpire whilst playing within the North Adelaide District Association.
1929 - The eight teams that competed: Prospect, Gaza, North Adelaide Ramblers, Walkerville, Chicago, Hope Valley, North Adelaide Centrals and Broadview.https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/129118243 After three seasons Salisbury, twice as runner up, rejoined the Gawler Football Association.
1930 - Annual Report it was reported the registered number of players was 294 for eight clubs in 1929 against 357 in the previous season for 10 teams.
1938 - Finals Series - Excelsior (Minor Premiers)https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/35610653 defeated Broadview in the second semi-final and won the right to play in the grand final. But Excelsior had played a man who had been named as reserve in the West Torrens B team. Contending that the Excelsior man was ineligible, Broadview lodged a protest with the North Adelaide Association. It was dismissed. They appealed to the South Australian Junior Football Union. The appeal was upheld. The North Adelaide Association then appealed to the South Australian Football League against the Union decision, but their appeal against the appeal decision was dismissed. Prepared to see the thing out to the bitter end, North Adelaide Association officials decided to meet the afternoon before the match. Either the second semi-final would have to be replayed, or the losers would be declared the winners. Broadview, however, having constitutionally established its point, let officials know before the meeting that the result of the match with Excelsior should stand.https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/131538382https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/131536762https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/35616647 Kilburn then defeated Broadview in the Preliminary Final on 17 September.https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/55940562
1940 - Teams from the RAAF at Parafield and Adelaide entered the competition joining Kilburn, Broadview, North Adelaide Ramblers, North Adelaide Centrals, Prospect, Gaza, Broadview Colts. The Abattoirs Club had disbanded.https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/48854165 The RAAF Parafield Team qualified for the Semi-Finals. The Premiership table as at the end of the minor round was: Broadview 30 pts, Kilburn 28, North Adelaide Centrals 24, R.A.A.F. (Parafield) 22, North Adelaide Ramblers 16, R.A.A.F (Adelaide) 12, Gaza 8, Prospect 8, Broadview Colts Nil.https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/74450951
1942 - Competition went into recess during the remainder of World War II and resumed following the end.
1947 - Eight teams competed - Thompson Memorial, Walkerville B, Broadview; Kilburn, Modbury, Gaza, Prospect, Abattoirs.https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/55893352
In March 1960 an application was received from Central Districts Club for affiliation with the NA Association. Their delegate stated they were seeking league status, and to do this, they had to field two teams as well as Colts. Fifteen of their Senior Colts would be lost to them this year, because they were too old. The club had adequate dressing sheds and toilet facilities, and one of the best turfed ovals in Australia.https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/253414424
1961 - Grade "A1" Clubs - Broadview, Gaza, Gepps Cross, Happy Valley, NYCW, North Adelaide Centrals, Prospect and Thompson Clubs. (8 teams) The Grade "A2" clubs - Broadview, Gaza, Gepps Cross, Happy Valley. NYCW, Walkerville, Super Elliott and Wingfield. (8 teams)https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/253419668
Clubs
Final ClubColoursNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEst.Known years in NADFAKnown NADFA Senior PremiershipsFateTotalYearsAlbert SportsDruidsMary Lee Park, North AdelaideAMFL1930s19680 -Formed Norwood-North FA in 1969Gepps CrossMagpiesDuncan Fraser Reserve, Northfield–19521952-196811965Formed Norwood-North FA in 1969GreenacresDragonsLJ Lewis Reserve, Northfield–19651965-19680 -Formed Norwood-North FA in 1969Hope Valley (1922-29)(1949-74)DemonsHope Valley Sporting Club, Hope ValleyNEHFA, ETFA19061922-1929, 1949-196811954Returned to North Eastern Hills FA in 1930. Formed Norwood-North FA in 1969ModburyDouble Blues RidgehavenETFA18621947-1950, 1954-1958, 1963-196831967, 1968Ftmoormed Norwood-North FA in 1969Pooraka BullsLindblom Park, Pooraka–19201921-19680 -Formed Norwood-North FA in 1969St RaphaelsSaintsMorgan Oval, AdelaideAMFL194719680 -Formed Norwood-North FA in 1969West CroydonFawk Reserve, Athol Park–19611965-19680 -Formed Norwood-North FA in 1969WingfieldWolves, WingiesEastern Parade Reserve, Ottoway–19541954-196821957, 1958Formed Norwood-North FA in 1969
Former ClubColoursNicknameHome GroundFormer LeagueEst.Known years in NADFAKnown NADFA Senior PremiershipsFateTotalYearsAthelstoneRaggiesFoxfield Oval, AthelstoneETFA19041926-1928?0 -1929-35 unknown. Re-formed in East Torrens FA in 1936.ANZ BankLeFevre Park, North Adelaidehttps://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/253405941–19581958-19590 -Moved to Glenelg-South West District FA in 1960British Tube Mills–194119410 -Folded after 1941 seasonBroadviewTigersBroadview Oval, Broadview–19281928-196341930, 1948, 1954, 1963Moved to SAAFL in 1964Broadview ColtsTigersBroadview Oval, Broadview–192819400 -?BrunswickPark 21 (Mirnu Wirra), Adelaide–?-195111949Moved to Glenelg-South West District FA in 1960Central DistrictBulldogsElizabeth Oval, Elizabeth–196019600 -Formed Central District FA in 1961https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/253419413College Park194911949FoldedEnfield1952-195311953FoldedExcelsiorhttps://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/962876771937-19380 -FoldedFerryden ParkRed and blackRoversFerryden Park Reserve, Ferryden Park–19641965-196711965Moved to SAAFL in 1968GazaEaglesKlemzig Oval, Klemzig–19211921-196121926, 1960Moved to SAAFL in 1962Harris Scarfe1930 - ?0 -FoldedIslington United1921-192411922FoldedKangaroos19220 -FoldedKilburn ChicsOval on site of Islington Rail Workshops, Kilburn–19231925-1957https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/129831844121928, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1946, 1947, 1956, 1957Moved to SAAFL in 1958MitchamPrice Memorial Oval, HawthornUSFA1908192111921Moved to Mid-Southern FA in 1922North Adelaide Central1935-?41941, 1950, 1953, 1956FoldedNorth Adelaide Colts19380 -FoldedNorth Adelaide Juniors1926-?0 -FoldedNorth Adelaide Ramblers1921-194111929FoldedNorthfield1926-?0 -FoldedProspectDark with light bandYMCAFA1923-196461923, 1924, 1925, 1927, 1936, 1946Folded after 1964 seasonRAAF–194119410 -FoldedRAAF Adelaide–194019400 -FoldedRAAF Parafield–194019400 -FoldedRoyal ParkRoostersCarnegie South Reserve, Royal Park–1960s19660 -Moved to Adelaide Metropolitan FL in 1967SA Central1936-19500 -FoldedSalisburyMagpiesSalisbury Oval, SalisburyGDFA18831926-1928https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/129170239https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1293396020 -Returned to Gawler & District FA in 1929https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/129261023St Dominics Red and blackSt Dominic's Oval, North Adelaide1940s1954-19620 -Moved to SAAFL in 1963Super Elliott1948-1954?0 -FoldedTea Tree GullyGullies, WolvesPertaringa Oval, Banksia ParkETFA18621955-19560 -Returned to East Torrens FA in 1957Thompson Memorial1947-?71950, 1951, 1952, 1955, 1958, 1964, 1966FoldedWalkerville(1921-52)(1953-54)(1961)Walkerville Oval, WalkervilleSAAFL19011921-1935, 1947-1954, 196131931, 1932, 1963Moved to SAAFL in 1936. Fielded B-grade team in NADFA from 1947-54 and in 1961.Woodville North?-1959-?11959FoldedWoodville Gardens19630 -Folded Premierships
Year A1 A2 1921 Mitcham 1922 Islington United 1923 Prospect 1924 Prospect 1925 Prospect 1926 Gaza 1927 Prospect 1928 Chicago 1929 North Adelaide Ramblers 1930 Broadview 1931 Walkerville 1932 Walkerville 1933 Kilburn 1934 Kilburn 1935 Kilburn 1936 Prospect 1937 Kilburn 1938 Kilburnhttps://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/36583228 1939 Kilburn 1940 Kilburn 1941 North Adelaide Central 1942-45 In Recess 1946 Kilburn 1947 Kilburn 1948 Broadview 1949 Brunswick College Park 1950 Thompson Memorial North Adelaide Central 1951 Thompson Memorial Gaza 1952 Thompson Memorial Super Elliott 1953 Enfield North Adelaide Central (undefeated) 1954 Broadview Hope Valley 1955 Thompson Memorial 1956 Kilburn North Adelaide Central (undefeated) https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/253403278 1957 Kilburn Wingfield 1958 Thompson Memorial Wingfield 1959 North Adelaide Y.C.W. Woodville North https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/253413263 1960 North Adelaide Y.C.W. Gaza https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/253417423? 1961 Prospect Walkerville 1962 1963 Broadview Modbury https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/274969585 1964 Thompson Memorial 1965 Gepps Cross Ferryden Park 1966 Thompson Memorial 1967 Modbury 1968 Modbury
Northern Adelaide District Football A1 Grade premierships by club Club Premierships Premiership SeasonBroadview4 1930,1948,1954,1963Brunswick1 1949Chicago (Kilburn)1 1928Enfield1 1953Gaza1 1926Gepps Cross1 1965Islington United1 1922Kilburn11 1933,1934,1935,1937,1938,1939,1940,1946,1947,1956,1957Mitcham11921Modbury21967,1968North Adelaide Central11941North Adelaide Ramblers11929North Adelaide Y.C.W.21959,1960Prospect61923,1924,1925,1927,1936,1961Thompson Memorial 71950,1951,1952,1955,1958,1964,1966Walkerville21931,1932
Notes: 1962 Premiers - Unknown
Leader Medallists The Leader Medal was awarded for the fairest and most brilliant footballer in the North Adelaide DFA each season.
1968 - Dave (Doc) Woollard (Thompson)
Other Grades
A1 1968 - K. Hopkins (Wingfield)
A2 1968 - A. Underwood (Pooraka)
B-Grade 1968 - R. Furler (Adult Deaf)
References