The University of Queensland Australian Football Club (UQAFC) is an amateur Australian rules football club playing in Divisions 1 and 3 of the SEQAFL competition overseen by AFL Queensland. UQAFC home games are played at the University of Queensland’s No. 7 playing oval on the corner of Sir Fred Schonell Drive and Coleridge Street, St Lucia, Brisbane.
Founded in 1956, the club collected the “Red Lions” moniker in reference to a pub in the Northern New South Wales town of Glencoe. After travelling to Armidale to compete against the University of New England for the Clem Jones Shield UQ would frequent the Red Lion Tavern on their return journey, giving birth to the Red Lion legend.
The UQAFC has since won seven Senior premierships, including a “threepeat” in 1961, 1962 & 1963. Red Lion Reserve Grade sides have claimed ten premiership victories many of which came during extended period of dominance during both the 1980′s and more recently in the new millennium. The club has a built unique heritage with its large student membership and strong old boys network resulting in a very social club atmosphere and it is very proud to cater to footballers of all abilities. Currently with four teams and over 150 registered players, the Red Lions are regarded as one of the largest amateur Australian rules football club in Queensland.
Recent History
In 2006 a large increase in player numbers resulted in the formation of a third adult side for the first time since the 1970s. The Thirds team, which also included players from the Griffith University Gladiators, played in the reserves competition of Division 2 of the AFLQ State Association competition. 2006 also saw a significant improvement in performance with the Senior side finishing third overall, and the Reserves side winning the premiership.
The club continued to perform well in 2007 under new Senior Coach Travis Warren with both the senior and Reserves side reaching the preliminary final. In 2008, performances across all grades continued to improve, with the Reserves winning the Premiership, the Thirds making the Grand Final for the first time and the Seniors again narrowing missing the Grand Final to finish third. 2009 represented another year of growth for the club, with unprecedented player numbers allowing the creation of a fourth adult side for the first time. The Thirds and Fourths played as senior and reserve teams of Division 2 of the AFLQ State Association competition.
Ian Carter was appointed as Senior Coach for 2010 season. The Division 2 Reserves played finals for the first time since stepping up from Division 3, and the club continued to grow in numbers to accommodate their four adult mens sides.
The Senior Coaching role was taken over by Tim MacKinley prior to the start of the 2011 season. Both Division 1 sides finished on top of their respective ladders to take out the minor premiership, with the Reserve side capping the season with a premiership and the Seniors reaching the Grand Final. The Thirds continued their improvement to record 4 victories, the most in one season since their promotion to Division 2. In 2012 the club had 3 teams make the Grand Final, with the Seconds and Fourths ultimately claiming premierships.
At the completion of the 2012 season AFL Queensland offered University a promotion which, after the league re-branding that occurred in 2011, will see the Red Lions competing in Divisions 1 and 3 in 2013. Warren Vines was appointed as Senior Coach, assisted by Rod Hughes, to replace Tim Mackinley who took an opportunity at NEAFL level. Due to expanding player numbers the club may introduce a Fifths into the Division 4 competition and form a Ladies team in 2013.
