AFL Chief Executive Officer, Gillon McLachlan today has released the outcomes of the Tasmanian football steering committee, including a commitment to new funding and new talent pathways to rebuild Tasmanian Football.
“This funding package and restructure of Tasmanian football ensures sustainable community participation and opportunity for Tasmanian’s participating in the game to have the best possible chance to be drafted into the AFL and AFLW.” Mr McLachlan said.
“The passion for Tasmanian footy needs to be harnessed. The time is now to unite.”
The major announcements include:
- Additional $1.4 million investment into Tasmanian Football in 2019, with incremental funding to be committed in 2020 and beyond.
- Three new football administration hubs in the South, North and North West of the state, including regional advisory committees who will work with local community stakeholders dealing with local issues.
- Creation and appointment of a Regional Talent Manager based and focused on the North West Coast –delivering a regional talent manager in all of the three key areas of the state.
- Introduction of a Tasmanian boys under 18 team in the TAC cup in 2019, with a full-time coach and regional coaching groups.
- Provisional licence for a Tasmanian team for the VFL for 2021.
- Extension of talent pathway programs to include under 12’s through to under 18’s.
- Increased investment in female talent, including a new full-time resource dedicated to the female talent pathways and the establishment of a TAC Cup Girls program in 2020.
- The re-branding of all Tasmanian representative teams to sit under one team name. A name to be decided by the Tasmanian public.
Mr. McLachlan also restated the key challenges facing Tasmanian football, identified by the Steering Committee through consultations across the state:
- The need to increase funding on talent development, participation and junior football.
- Less participants at the junior level than senior – a huge concern for the future of football.
“This package delivers more funding, but also requires more cooperation across the state, and delivery of community and participation outcomes.”
“The committee recognised the need to rebuild the foundations to ensure Tasmanian football prospers.”
The Tasmanian State League will remain the premier competition in the state and will continue to receive AFL funding.
The clubs have committed to working with community football within their zones.
“We will continue to support the seven State League clubs, they are important part of their local areas. The clubs are committed to deliver the community and participation outcomes required to keep football healthy.”
“In order for footy to grow in one of our founding footy states, we need the help from the Tasmania football community to help create the solutions. “
“This needs to be a team effort.”
In addition to the funding announcement - all Tasmanian representative teams, from junior participation and talent pathways through to the selected TAC Cup and VFL programs, will sit under the one TEAM TASMANIA banner.
The name to be decided by the Tasmanian public.
The Tasmanian steering committee was formed in March and comprised of:
- AFL CEO, Gillon McLachlan (Chair)
- AFL Tasmania CEO, Trish Squires
- Carlton Coach, Brendon Bolton
- Brisbane Coach, Chris Fagan
- Former St Kilda Captain, Nick Riewoldt
- AFL Head of Game development, Robert Auld
- AFL National State league Manager, Simon Laughton
- AFL Head of Talent, Education and Projects, Tristan Salter
- AFL Talent Competitions & Operations Manager, Marcus Ashcroft
- AFL Club Strategy lead, Andrew Gennai-Garino
Please find the document relating to the steering committee’s findings here
