The Kangaroo Island Football League (KIFL) is an Australian rules football competition based on Kangaroo Island in South Australia, Australia. It is an affiliated member of the South Australian National Football League and is zoned to the South Adelaide Football Club.
Australian Football began on Kangaroo Island in the late 1800s, with the first organised competition beginning in 1908 with the formation of Kingscote and Dudley United clubs. Wisanger joined in 1910, thereafter several clubs came and went such as Muston.
The Kangaroo Island Football League (KIFL) was formed in 1946 with founding clubs Kingscote and Wisanger. They were later joined by Parndana, American River and Nepean Bay. With the demise of the latter two clubs and Dudley United unable to field a team, Western Districts was formed in 1970. Dudley United was re-introduced in 1976, with the league maintaining that structure to the present day. The reserve competition was formed in 1966. Kingscote and Parndana school teams played football against each other prior to the formation of Senior Colts in 1967 as an U15s competition; 1976 saw it change to U16s, reverting back to U15s in 2002. The Junior Colts competition was formed in 1970, formerly called the minis; in 1976 it was changed to U13s and today it is the U12s. Mini League was played at half time of A Grade matches in the 1980s and '90s, before becoming Auskick in the 2000s and being played in the mornings.
As of 2018 the KIFL hosts 5 grades of competition, which include two senior grades, A-Grade & Reserves, and 3 colts grades, U15's, U12's & AusKick (U12's and AusKick do not play for premiership points). Currently all clubs have one team in all levels of competition.
The Mail Medal is awarded to the best and fairest footballer in the highest grade of competition in Kangaroo Island Football League. Sunday Mail newspaper presents the best and fairest footballer in each country league in South Australia with a medal.
The Johnston Medal is awarded to the best and fairest footballer in the reserve grade of competition in Kangaroo Island Football League.
The Pharmacy Medal is awarded to the best and fairest footballer in the colts grade of competition in Kangaroo Island Football League.
Leading goal kickers in each grade at the end of the regular season.
Highest scores in a Grand Final:
Biggest Winning margin in a Grand Final:
Nepean Bay: Barry Morton (89) Dudley: Vern Trethewey (184)
Kangaroo Island qualified in the B division for the 1970 Caltex Country Championship and were successful, defeating the Woomera, Southern and Murraylands Leagues. In 1988 Kangaroo Island combined with Great Southern to play a match against Tatiara in the opening round of the Escort Cup, losing by three points. Association matches were played spasmodically against Southern Yorke Peninsula and Yorke Valley. The KIFL was involved with the Mortlock Shield which takes place amongst several amateur country teams in Port Lincoln annually competing from 1990âÂÂ1996 and from 2010âÂÂ2016, the highest placing being fourth out of six teams. From 1992âÂÂ1998 KIFL played an annual match against the Great Southern under 23 team, the Great Southern side leading the head-to-head 5âÂÂ2. In 1999, KIFL took on a full strength Great Southern side, losing by 99 points. From 2000âÂÂ2009 association matches were played spasmodically against Hills Country, Riverland and Southern leagues. Since 2017 matches have been played against Southern under 23's, KIFL losing the first match, winning the second and in 2019 a draw. Since 2015, the best of the KIFL Under 17's have played against the Southern Under 15's, Southern leading the head to head 6âÂÂ2. (Home side named first in table below)