Big River Hawks drop out of 2020-21 NTFL season after lack of community support, but teams expected to come back stronger

THE Big River Hawks have withdrawn from the 2020-21 NTFL season due to lack of community support for the Katherine-based teams

Big River has pulled out its under-18 teams from boys’ and girls’ NTFL competitions for 2020-21 in a short-term body blow for the Hawks. But there is confidence it can come back in better shape in future years. Picture: MICHAEL KLEIN

THE Big River Hawks have withdrawn from the 2020-21 NTFL season due to lack of community support for the Katherine-based teams.

This will mean the Hawks will not field sides in either the under-18s boys or under-18s girls competitions in the upcoming season.

The Hawks and AFLNT have made several attempts over the past few weeks to attract coaches and support stay to assist in operating Big Rivers, but were unsuccessful in landing the necessary support.

Big River president Vikki Gardner was saddened by the withdrawal but suggested the upsetting decision would set the Hawks up for future success.

Nightcliff Tigers young gun Joel Budarick believes he can continue to improve in 2020-21 NTFL comp

Past Geelong Falcons player in the TAC Cup, Joshua Carlin, indicates he could play for Waratah in the 2020-21 NTFL Premier League

Waratah player-coach Lisa Roberts says it only took one call from Arnhem Crows coach Colleen Gwynne to play in the BRFL. She’s helped the team to a grand final

“No club can operate without coaches, team managers, trainers and support staff, and that is the problem we faced this NTFL season,” Gardner said.

“But away from the field, we also need to be headed by a robust committee; one that will create and own a strategic plan that has a firm eye on making the club successful.

“The feedback we received from past BRH supporters is that we need to scale back to the community level, gain support here and rebuild.

“With junior footy restarting in the region it allows us to concentrate our efforts in this area and to create a pathway that will see the return of the Hawks in years to come.”

The Hawks and AFLNT will continue to work together to make sure players who were due to pull on the guernsey will still have the opportunity to do so, with players moving to other clubs a possibility.

AFLNT CEO Stuart Totham revealed a five-year Australian football strategy for the Big Rivers region had been finalised with a focus on junior and youth footy in the region.

“We are disappointed that we will not have the Hawks in the 2020-21 NTFL season, they have been a big part of Territory footy’s history,” Totham said.

“But, it is also for the advancement of Territory footy that we understand the need to pull back this year to better set up for future generations.

“We will be working closely with the Hawks and the community to make sure we have programs for the five-year-olds who are running around in Auskick to 62-year old Ngukurr Bulldogs player, Keith Rogers.

“With a bit more time, we will have clear options in place and a pathway for aspiring footballers in the region.”