An extra three AFLNT staffers will be employed in Central Australia

An extra three full-time AFLNT staffers in Central Australia is being seen as a further step towards a possible league team in the Territory, as a major meeting in Darwin looms.

Peak body AFLNT will employ an extra three full-time staffers in Central Australia by the end of the year as a special taskforce investigating a potential AFL licence bid is set to meet in Darwin next month.

The taskforce – which includes AFLNT chair Sean Bowden and Sports Minister Kate Worden – will meet for two days of discussions in early March.

Top of the agenda will be a NT Government-commissioned social impact study which will inform an overall business case, prepared by PriceWaterhouseCoopers, which is currently being finalised.

Mr Bowden expected the business case to be “close to its final form” by the March meeting, before recommendations are finalised.

However, he said the new positions in Central Australia – in game development and community football – were “totally, fundamentally” connected to what the taskforce was trying to achieve.

“It’s very significant,” Mr Bowden said, with Darwin Buffaloes player Matt Campbell recently installed as the Central Australia Development Coach.

“It’s totally, fundamentally connected to what the taskforce is trying to achieve.”

Mr Bowden said the taskforce was open to a possible alignment between itself and ongoing government work exploring the potential for an NBL team in Darwin.

“That’s something that is interest to the taskforce, how we can align with the aspirations of the basketball community to have a top level, NBL team,” he said.

“We’re happy to explore any sort of alignment, the most effective alignment possible.

“We think there’s a natural alignment between the basketball community and the Australian Rules football community.”

Sean Bowden wants Australian football to remain at the forefront of Territory lives. Picture: Felicity Elliott /AFLNT Media.

He said the most pleasing thing he noticed in the social impact study – following consultation with key stakeholders – was the “aspiration and embrace of the community for the idea” of an AFL team.

“An AFL team in the Northern Territory clearly speaks to the aspirations of Territorians of all ages,” he said.

“It’s seen as a logical completion of the Territory’s football history, and also something that will bring the Territory into the mainframe of Australian life.”

He said the study had identified “significant positive benefits”, including social and economic impacts while providing a “focal point” for Territory youth and developing new, and strengthening existing, pathways.

He said an AFL team in the Territory was about more than just success on the field but its broader impact at a community level, across health, education and employment.

“It’s not just about football, an AFL team brings a whole range of opportunities,” he said.

Darwin Buffalo Matt Campbell was recently unveiled as a Central Australia development coach. Picture: Glenn Campbell.

Mr Bowden said “the ultimate destination” for the taskforce, and the AFLNT, was to eventually establish an AFL team.

“People have a higher aspiration to focus on,” he said.

“It’s about giving people the opportunity to travel the pathway (to the AFL).

“Not just into elite football but into the elite club itself, and the various employment pathways and other activities that will exist around the club.”

He was also confident that a potential bid would include a men’s and women’s team.

“There’s a whole punch of permutations we’re grappling with,” he said.

“We’re working hard to get all the data.

“We know it’s a major exercise and we’re determined to do the work that’s required and understand this concept, this opportunity.”