About Melbourne Dodgeball

The Sport

What is Dodgeball?

Dodgeball is a fast-paced team sport where two teams face off across a court, throwing foam balls at opposing players to eliminate them. Get hit - you're out. Catch a ball thrown at you — the thrower is out and a teammate comes back in.

Rounds are short, energy is high, and almost anyone can pick it up in minutes. It rewards athleticism and strategy in equal measure - whether you're dodging, diving, or launching a perfect throw from the back line.

At Melbourne Dodgeball we play a modified WDBF ruleset suited to both social and competitive play. All skill levels are welcome - from absolute beginners through to experienced competitive players.

⚡ Fast-paced 🤝 Team sport 🎯 Easy to learn 🏆 Competitive 😄 Social 💪 Fun/Fitness

Read Rules

How it started

Our Story

Established in 2011, Melbourne Dodgeball started the way most good things do - a group of people who loved a sport and couldn't find anywhere to play it properly. What began as an informal gathering quickly became something bigger.

We built our first season from scratch. No playbook, no blueprint - just a genuine belief that dodgeball deserved to be taken seriously in Melbourne. The response was immediate. Players showed up, brought their friends, and kept coming back.

From that first season, we've grown into a multi-venue league running across the city - from Bundoora to Footscray, Cranbourne to Sunbury - with divisions ranging from complete beginners through to advanced competitive play.

We also launched Flemington Social - a bi-weekly drop-in session for anyone who wants to play without the commitment of a full season. Because not everyone wants to compete. Some people just want to throw a ball at someone on a Wednesday night. We respect that.

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2010

First informal games

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2011

First official league

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2015

200+ players

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2019

11 venues, 150+ teams, 1000+ players

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2022

Post-COVID rebuild

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2026

5 venues, 60+ teams, 400+ players

What drives us

Mission & Values

Everything we do comes back to three things. The rest is just details.

01

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Make it accessible

Dodgeball shouldn't require elite fitness, expensive gear, or years of experience. We designed every division and every session so that anyone - regardless of background or ability — can walk in and feel like they belong.

02

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Build real community

We're not just running a sport. We're building a network of people who show up for each other. The connections made on our courts extend well beyond the game — and that's something we're genuinely proud of.

03

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Keep it competitive & fun

Competition and fun aren't opposites — they're partners. Whether you're playing for a championship or just trying not to get hit in the face, we want every session to leave you wanting to come back next week.

Who we are

Built for Everyone

"Melbourne Dodgeball is a place where everyone is welcome - full stop."

We believe sport is most powerful when it's truly inclusive. That means creating an environment where people feel safe, respected and valued - on and off the court. We don't just say this. We build it into how we run every session, every season, every venue.

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LGBTQIA+ Inclusive

All gender identities and sexual orientations are welcome and celebrated at MDL. Our sessions are a safe space - always.

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Accessibility First

We work to make our venues and sessions as accessible as possible. If you have specific needs, reach out - we'll do everything we can to accommodate you.

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Culturally Diverse

Our courts reflect Melbourne's diversity. Players from every background, nationality, and walk of life are part of what makes MDL special.

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Zero Tolerance Policy

Discrimination, harassment, or unsportsmanlike behaviour of any kind will not be tolerated. We take this seriously and act on it.

"

I came for a free game and five years later I'm still here.

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I met my husband through Melbourne Dodgeball!

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I'd never played sport before. Now I captain my team.