Tasmanian Government taskforce calls for AFL licence and new stadium

August 26, 2019

A taskforce appointed by the Tasmania Government to consider the future of elite sport in the state has called for a commitment to apply for a provisional AFL licence and for the development of a new ‘super stadium’.

In a significant move towards the push for a stand-alone AFL team based in Tasmania, tasksforce Chairman Brett Godfrey told The Age that a provisional licence would demonstrate a degree of certainty to the state as it builds a strong business case for an AFL team with a potential 2025 entry into the national competition.

Godfrey advised "a provisional licence would be contingent on certain things happening (and) would be subject to us submitting a compelling and sustainable business case that we can actually add value to the AFL and not simply existing to take from the pie.”

Godfrey, the founding Chief Executive of Virgin Australia and co-founder, in 2015, of the Tasmanian-based Australian Walking Company (AWC), pointed out that the yet-to-be-established Tasmanian Devils VFL team has already been granted a provisional licence.

The AFL granted Gold Coast a provisional licence in the years leading up to their AFL establishment in 2011 and there has not been a case where the granting of a provisional licence by the league hasn't led to a permanent place in the competition.

The taskforce, appointed by Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman, has also proposed a new ‘super stadium’ that would be a base for a Tasmanian AFL team as well as other sports.

Welcoming the proposal, Tasmanian State Growth Minister Michael Ferguson advised “the concept of a multi-code facility has merit”

With Hobart’s Macquarie Point a likely location for the new venue, Minister Ferguson added “developing one of the last remaining vacant urban locations in any of Australia’s capital cities is no small feat and we are committed to getting it right.”

It has been suggested that the stadium could be home to Tasmanian AFL and A-League teams, with the two sports combining with basketball to share administrative resources and high performance facilities.

16th August 2019 - Larry Kestelman to head new NBL Tasmania Advisory Board

12th July 2019 - NBL announces pre-season Tasmanian tournament to test 10th NBL franchise potential

27th June 2019 - Derwent Entertainment Centre needs significant upgrading to host Tasmanian NBL team

5th June 2019 - Project team appointed to build case for Tasmanian AFL

22nd October 2018 - Royal Hobart Show organisers look at dramatic site transformation

23rd September 2018 - Tasmanian Council pushes ahead with by-laws banning people from public places

23rd August 2018 - Tasmanian NBL consortium unhappy with $18 million Derwent Entertainment Centre valuation

3rd July 2018 - Funds to create ‘new talent pathways’ but AFL confirms no team for Tasmania

21st March 2018 - ‘Hard decisions’ ahead for AFL in Tasmania

4th July 2016 - New high performance turf surface operational at historic North Hobart Oval

4th June 2016 - New deal keeps North Melbourne playing AFL fixtures in Hobart for five more years

22nd December 2014 - Cricket Tasmania unveils new Blundstone Arena stand

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