Territory football’s peak body yet to release fixtures for the Central Australian Football League

The Territory football’s peak body has yet to release its fixtures for a Red Centre football league as doubt lingers over whether its competition for remote players will get off the ground.

Fixtures for the Central Australian Football League have not yet been released with play traditionally starting in less than three weeks as doubt remains over its community competition getting off the ground.

The CAFL’s senior men’s competition started on April 30 start last season and May 1 in 2021.

Papunya footballer Braydon Wiley told this publication it was “pretty disappointing” the fixtures had not been released yet, but was expecting to hear more this week.

South Alice Springs coach Chris Forbes said he was anticipating an April 29 start.

“It’s hard when you haven’t got info that you need when you’re trying to plan for the season,” Forbes said.

In a statement on March 31, AFLNT said it was working through “fixturing modelling” for the CAFL, with the league announcing its 2022 fixture on April 13 last year and April 9 in 2021.

Meanwhile, Katherine’s Big Rivers Football League women’s competition starts on April 29 with the men to follow on May 5.

No dates have been announced yet for the Barkly Australian Football League in Tennant Creek, with competition beginning last year on May 28.

The peak body has been contacted for comment on CAFL fixtures.

Papunya player Braydon Wiley (right) is concerned the CAFL's community competition will be axed in 2023. Picture: Supplied.

Meanwhile, it remains unclear if the community competition will occur in the Red Centre this season with the local council barring matches from its grounds.

The council is concerned an influx of hundreds of players and fans from remote communities could impact on crime issues facing Alice Springs, preferring games played in community.

In its previous statement, AFLNT said it would continue to speak to key stakeholders, including the local council, with games in communities “where safe and practical” being considered.

It comes as the peak body said it had a licence agreement with the council for Traeger Park which is due to expire in 2025.

Originally published as Territory football’s peak body yet to release fixtures for the Central Australian Football League