NT AFL team one step closer with taskforce set up to develop business plan for a local side

Territory football’s big dream to become the 19th or 20th team in an expanded AFL competition enters the planning stages with the establishment of a seven-person taskforce.

A NORTHERN Territory AFL team kicking goals in an expanded AFL competition has taken a giant leap forward with the establishment of a seven-person taskforce made up of politicians and business managers.

Their primary aim is to develop a business plan aimed at landing a side in the national competition by the end of the decade when an AFL licence becomes available.

Sports Minister Kate Worden and AFLNT board chairman Sean Bowden will co-chair the taskforce, with input from Mr Nigel Browne, CEO, Larrakia Development Corporation CEO Nigel Browne, Airport Development Group chairman Tony Edmondstone, the managing director and network head of sport at Seven Melbourne Lewis Martin, former Melbourne and Essendon chief executive Peter Jackson and general manager health service, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Josie Douglas making up the “Magnificent Seven’’.

The long-term aim is to identify the pathways on further explore opportunities that could underpin a team not only competing in the national competition, but being sustainable and inspiring for the Territory’s youth to achieve high levels of success on and off the field.

AFLNT chairman Sean Bowden, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Josie Douglas and former Melbourne and Essendon chief executive Peter Jackson.

Exploring and expanding on the foundations laid by the AFLNT’s own feasibility study into the ambitious project and developing a business plan and a strategy to effectively champion, lobby and drive the Territory’s AFL licence agenda are other main priorities.

The serious work will commence next month with plans to submit a final report in late 2022.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said Territorians loved their footy and were passionate about having our own Territory AFL team.

“This next stage brings in a range of experts to make the Territory dream real,’’ he said.

“We will be ready for a national team when the AFL is ready to expand.”

Sport Minister and taskforce co-chair Kate Worden said the group’s vision was for a Territory team to become the pathway for young Territory boys and girls to achieve their dreams of playing for a local AFL team at the highest level of sport in the country.

“We want this team to become a permanent part of Territory life and a source of pride for all Territorians on the national stage,’’ she said

“The high calibre of the taskforce members confirms the passion and belief from across Australia in the idea of a Territory AFL team.”

NT AFL team one step closer with taskforce set up to develop business plan for a local side

Sean Bowden said establishing a Territory AFL team taskforce is a crucial first step in bringing to life a Territory-own AFL Team and positioning the Territory to bid for a future AFL licence.

“We have unique talent and a style of football in the Territory that can’t be taught,’’ he added. “A Territory-own AFL Team will be a pathway and an inspiration to our young people, a source of pride for the community and a major stimulus to the Territory economy.’’

Channel 7 boss Lewis Martin was brief but to the point on where the importance of a Territory AFL side sat on the national landscape.

“If there was ever a place and purpose for an AFL team, it’s the Northern Territory, where footy talks many languages,’’ he said.

Peter Jackson said his time as CEO at Essendon and Melbourne gave him the opportunity to be closely involved in AFL football in the Territory.

“It proved to be both a satisfying and rewarding experience personally,’’ he added.

“You get to see first hand how much football means to Territorians and their communities.”