Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Tasmanian Premier unhappy with AFL response to bid for state-based team

Tasmanian Premier unhappy with AFL response to bid for state-based team
February 21, 2021

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein has released a statement advising that it “beggars belief” as to why the AFL requires another year to assess a feasibility for establishing a club in the state.

Following a submission presented to the AFL 12 months ago, Premier Gutwein had last week called for the League to provide a clear timetable for the introduction of a Tasmanian-based club by 5pm on Friday.

In response, AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan spoke with Premier Gutwein, as well as Tasmanian AFL Taskforce Chairman Brett Godfrey, by telephone on Friday before presenting a formal written response.

Premier Gutwein (pictured below) was so unhappy with the response from McLachlan that he released a statement advising “the response received from the AFL is simply not good enough.

“After receiving our business case 12 months ago, it beggars belief the AFL has not been able to consider it fully over the last year and now, to add insult to injury, want to take up to another year before providing clarity on the future of a Tasmanian team.

“As a footballing heartland state we have paid our dues and deserve much better. We have supported the AFL and before them the VFL, providing some of the best talent to play the game and it's now time for the AFL to treat Tasmania fairly.”

McLachlan’s letter said the AFL Commission “understands the importance of Tasmania to our code” and “appreciates the work done in your submission for a Tasmanian team”, hence the league’s view the submission warranted a “detailed review”.

He went on to advise that the AFL Commission would seek an independent consultant to lead the review, with support from the AFL strategy team to provide a detailed response, noting “the substantive nature of the work would examine your submission from an industry perspective including all financial, fixturing, talent and other relevant considerations.

“This should be completed by late 2021 or early 2022 when we expect to have a clearer picture of our own financial position and that of the wider AFL community.”

McLachlan’s letter also advised that the “AFL Commission had begun to consider the Taskforce report on a team based in Tasmania last year when that work with clubs was placed on hold, due to the impacts of COVID-19, which had a far greater impact on our season and overall health of our game than could have been expected or predicted.

“The AFL competitions and community football face uncertainty and risk again in 2021 with restrictions on mass gatherings and cross broader travel, in-turn creating financial and investment uncertainty as well.”

It also acknowledged the “impact that this might have on the Tasmanian Governments ability to progress the arrangements with the Hawthorn and North Melbourne Football Clubs, and if that remains an issue, the AFL would propose to deal directly with the two clubs and the implications for them in 2022, as well as for Tasmanian football.”

After receiving McLachlan’s letter, Premier Gutwein released it publicly, along with his own statement of disappointment.

The Tasmanian AFL taskforce is intent on securing a team in the state by 2025.

Related Articles

18th February 2021 - Tasmanian builder awarded Derwent Entertainment Centre redevelopment contract

17th February 2021 - Year of ‘sacrifices’ sees AFL report $22.8 million loss

17th February 2021 - 2019 taxpayer-funded study into viability of a Northern Territory AFL team remains unreleased

13th February 2021 - Tasmanian Premier calls for solid timeline for Tasmania getting its own AFL team

12th February 2021 - AFLW reaches membership record in fifth season

8th February 2021 - $200 million plus redevelopment plan proposed for Launceston’s UTAS Stadium

1st February 2021 - Approval given for Tasmania’s larger entertainment venues to increase capacity

21st January 2021 - Tasmania hosts Australian Superbikes Championship for the first time since 2015

4th January 2021 - AFL stakeholders advance stadium plans in Cairns and Darwin

24th December 2020 - AFL announces broadcast agreement extensions with Foxtel and Telstra

20th October 2020 - AFL’s Gabba Grand Final to be played in front of 30,000 fans

25th August 2020 - AFL Tasmania Chief Executive Trisha Squires heads to Queensland

24th August 2020 - Decline in income forces AFL to restructure operations with 20% of staff to be cut

2nd July 2020 - Tasmania secures new NBL team for 2021/22 season

7th February 2020 - AFL Taskforce report shows Tasmanian team viable and sustainable

23rd October 2019 - Concept revealed for stadium for Tasmanian AFL franchise

15th October 2019 - Tasmanians back state’s AFL bid

26th August 2019 - Tasmanian Government taskforce calls for AFL licence and new stadium

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

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

10th March 2009 - Queensland’s $60 million shores up Gold Coast AFL bid


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

The P.A. People

The P.A. People is a specialist integrator and contractor in sound reinforcement, audio visual systems, performance lighting and production communications. Over its almost 50 year history the company…

read more

Entertainment / Events / Sport / Technology / Venues

 
 

SeatGeek Asia Pacific

SeatGeek is a search engine and mobile-focused ticket marketplace that allows fans to buy and sell tickets for live events. As of August 2018, SeatGeek has exited the Australian, New…

read more

Entertainment / Sport / Technology / Ticketing / Venues

 
 

Chadson Engineering Pty Ltd

Australia’s leading manufacturer of horizontal and vertical media filters suited to all types of commercial pools, water playgrounds marine parks, aquaculture and zoos. They are an ideal…

read more

Aquatics / Technology / Waterparks

 
 

BioLab Australia Pty Ltd

BioGuard is Australia and New Zealand’s most trusted supplier of premium, innovative and affordable commercial water treatment systems and chemicals. BioGuard offers a comprehensive range of…

read more

Aquatics / Technology / Waterparks

 
 

XBODY Australia Pty Ltd

PROVEN BUSINESS CONCEPTS WITH XBODY XBody’s goal is to see you and your EMS business succeed. That is why we don’t just sell equipment, we provide know-how, expert knowledge, business support…

read more

Fitness / Technology / Wellness

 
 

Myrtha Pools

Founded in 1961, Myrtha Pools® quickly became Italy’s première swimming pool company, and has since grown into one of the world's leading swimming pool construction…

read more

Aquatics / Design / Play / Waterparks / Wellness

 
 

Worldwide Sports Management

Principal Consultant Simon Weatherill has spent the last 20 years developing the world renowned Melbourne Sports Hub, as former Chief Executive Officer of the State Sports Centres Trust…

read more

Aquatics / Consultants / Recreation / Sport / Venues

 
 

Envibe

With its sleek good looks and easy-to-use yet powerful functionality, Envibe is the premium fitness club software for the Australasian leisure, recreation and fitness industry. We are the most…

read more

Aquatics / Fitness / Recreation / Technology

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business