AFLNT held meetings with Central Australian MLAs about returning country league to the bush

AFLNT has welcomed debate concerning the Central Australian community league, but says a previous push to return the competition to the bush had hit a hurdle.

A LACK of adequate infrastructure is the biggest obtacle preventing the Central Australian community footy competition returning to the bush, according to the AFLNT.

It comes after Alice Springs town councillor and Alyawerre man Michael Liddle used a council meeting last week to call for a pause on the upcoming season being played in town because of the “chaos” it brings.

AFLNT chairman Sean Bowden said the community competition was of utmost importance to players and fans, but acknowledged the potential for “flow on effects” when community members who travel to Alice Springs to play or watch stay on in town for several days.

“(They) may contribute to what is already a very difficult social situation,” he said.

In 2021, Central Australian MLAs approached AFLNT to discuss the possible return of football to remote communities.

Mr Bowden said following the meetings, AFLNT went as far as to produce a draft fixture, a competition model and a cost analysis but was not able to make it a reality.

AFLNT chairman Sean Bowden has welcomed debate about the CAFL community competition. Picture: Grey Morris

“In looking at returning games to communities the major issue was a lack of infrastructure,” he said.

“In most remote communities there are no change-rooms, poor playing surfaces, no sirens or scoreboard or basic spectator amenities like toilets. Reliable internet connectivity for match management is also an issue.

“Match managers and umpires need to be provided and consultations need to occur with police and medical centres in each community.”

Community safety concerns have been raised for several years in relation to influx of community members travelling to Alice Springs for games.

These concerns were brought to the fore once again following a heated 2021 grand final, where police made five arrests for anti-social behaviour, seized several weapons, made two protective custody apprehensions and diverted multiple units to Traeger Park.

Mr Bowden said he wanted young men and women playing football and their families participating in a positive way.

“We want to maximise the social programs that are already in place that use football as a motivator for young men and women,” he said.

“We want to see the talent and lifestyle pathways built so that football success leads to success in life – providing awareness of what life can offer beyond the football field.

“We have been working constructively with the Minister for Territory Families and Sport and are committed to the process of consulting with community leaders, the Northern Territory government, the Central Land Council, and the Alice Springs Town Council, to look at all options to return football to Central Australian communities.”

Alice Springs Mayor Matt Paterson refrained from weighing into the debate last Tuesday, but flagged a meeting already in place with the AFLNT and CAFL in early March to discuss the upcoming season, which is set to be played on several council-owned parks.

The country league is due to start up in late April.

‘Community football should be played in communities’

“COMMUNITY football should be played in communities.”

That’s the cry from Owen Cole, managing director of Yeperenye shopping centre and former president and life member of the town-based Pioneers Football Club.

At the ordinary Alice Springs council meeting on Tuesday, councillor Michael Liddle called for a “pause” on the country league being played in town because of the “chaos” it brings.

Mayor Matt Paterson was reticent about making a decision on the spot, but flagged an upcoming meeting with AFLNT and CAFL to discuss the season ahead.

Mr Cole said he has always supported CAFL Country League matches being played in communities and away from Alice Springs, long before fresh concerns were raised over a crime spike and pandemic.

“I honestly believe that’s where it’s most appropriate to be played,” he said.

In order to make that a reality, he called on the NT government to invest more in youth, sport and recreation in the remote communities with a team in the league.

“The facilities, with the exception of Santa Teresa, are pretty poor,” he said.

“There needs to be four or five communities that have got grassed ovals with dressing room facilities to accommodate both players and umpires.

“It should be treated the same as the Victorian Country Football League, where people travel to various towns and play in the competition.”

He said remote communities were entitled to the same kind of facilities available to teams based in Alice Springs.

Moving the league to remote communities has been mooted in the past but never eventuated, despite strong support from community leaders.

Mr Cole suggested Traeger Park in Alice Springs be reserved as a “neutral ground” for holding the country league finals. It is still unclear what Covid-19 restrictions, if any, will be in place for community members travelling to and from town for games. During the season, hundreds of people travel from communities to Alice Springs each weekend to support their teams.

In a statement, an AFLNT spokesman said talks with the council will make up a “key part” of consultations in the coming weeks, which will also include meetings with several other stakeholders.

“It is our intention to work collaboratively with the council to ensure that appropriate measures are in place that reduce risk and provide opportunities for football to have a constructive influence throughout the community,” the spokesman said.

NT Police previously expressed a desire to be more involved in the planning of community league matches following a spate of incidents at the 2021 grand finals.

Councillor Liddle calls for ‘pause’

ALICE Springs town councillor Michael Liddle has called for a pause on the CAFL Country League because of the “chaos” it brings to town.

Mr Liddle, an Alyawerre man, raised the matter at Tuesday’s council meeting, saying the town needs a “breather” amid a spike in crime and the ongoing threat of the Covid-19 pandemic.

A former footy player and current umpire, Mr Liddle said he wanted a review of how the competition and the AFLNT’s initiatives – such as the Right Tracks re-engagement program – were being run.

“Social issues increase when the community football is on in town every weekend,” he said.

“While there’s this pandemic it’s a good time to pause … and have a look at what programs work, what programs aren’t working and how we can improve AFL on community.”

Drama erupts at the CAFL Community League grand finals 2021. Papunya v Western Aranda. Picture: Lee Robinson.

Mayor Matt Paterson was hesitant to make a call on Tuesday but flagged a meeting already in place with the AFLNT and CAFL in early March to discuss the upcoming season, which is set to be played on several council-owned parks.

Mr Liddle questioned what benefit holding community football games in Alice Springs brings to the town.

Alice Springs Councillor and Alyawerre man Michael Liddle has been involved in local footy for decades. Picture: Emma Murray

“The fors and againsts have to be weighed up – it’s for the saneness and the wellbeing of the community of Alice Springs,” he said.

For years, the influx of people to town from remote communities over the weekends has raised safety concerns and stretched police resources.

In 2016, the annual Alice Springs Easter Football Lightning Carnival was scrapped following a spate of crime incidents including rock-throwing around town in the days following the event.

In a statement, an AFLNT spokesman said the league was “very conscious” of the challenges currently facing Central Australian communities but pointed out the importance of the game.

“We are also aware of the positive influence our sport can have across society,” the spokesman said.

“In the coming fortnight we will be continuing discussions around the forthcoming competitions in Central Australia, this will include significant and appropriate consultation with a variety of stakeholders.”