round 10

VIEW FROM HERE | Enhancing football in Tasmania
Some Tasmanian State League (TSL) club
supporters may not be aware that AFL Tasmania
is currently working with all stakeholders of
football below the TSL level to complete a plan
(or blueprint) for the future of our game.
While the matter of reserves is quite topical at
the moment, AFL Tasmania has a plan for the TSL
competition, a plan that is well known by the clubs
and one that we will be sticking too.
I suggest that the outcome as far as the reserves
is concerned will be that a number of clubs will
be prepared to compromise rather than fight a
battle that isn’t winnable. AFL Tasmania will also
compromise on certain matters, however, like any
negotiation there will always be a couple of “deal
breaking” issues. For AFL Tasmania the “deal
breaking” issues are:
1. The TSL competition will only be a two team
per club competition, not three.
2. The significant majority of players in a clubs
second TSL team must be legitimate under 18
players.
3. After the two teams per club TSL competition,
AFL Tasmania’s priority (in terms of open age
football) will be to support the NTFL, NTFA and
SFL competitions.
Already AFL Tasmania understands what the
key recommendations will be when we write and
publicly present the plan for football below the TSL.
Quite clearly enhancing the role of the Tasmanian
Football Council (TFC) as an Advisory Board to AFL
Tasmania will be the key recommendation.
The TFC is currently a group made up of one
representative each from the NTFL, NTFA and
SFL. At the moment the TFC only discuss matters
pertaining to their own competition. In the future
the TFC and the three senior competitions will
need to truly represent all aspects and all levels
of our sport in their own region. AFL Tasmania will
support the TFC to become the regional leaders
of our game.
Player pathways and the role of senior and junior
football clubs are also key issues that will impact
on the long term future of our game.
At the moment TSL clubs are understandably
focused on what is best for their club. TSL clubs
don’t have an intimate understanding, or concern
for that matter, regarding what might be best for
the whole game in their own development zone
let alone in other districts and regions.
However, if TSL clubs want to become recognised
and respected leaders of football within their
development zones, then at some point they will
need to step back, reflect and seriously consider
what the game development needs are in their
zone and what initiatives they should consider to
grow their club and the game at the same time.
Scott Wade
General Manager
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