Future in grave doubt for Tasmania’s top women’s footy competition

The TSLW was launched in 2017 with much fanfare, but now its future looks terminal as one of the state’s powerhouse clubs has cancelled its women’s program. LATEST >>

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THE end of the TSLW competition appears nigh as it is believed North Launceston has cancelled its women’s program.

It would leave just four clubs in Tasmania’s best female football competition — Launceston, Clarence, Glenorchy and the Tigers — in what would be an unsustainable set up.

It could see the remaining four clubs go back to regional competitions, with a state championships between the premiers of the women’s SFL, NTFA and NWFL to be played at the season’s end.

The TSLW was launched in April 2017, with then AFL Tasmania chief executive Rob Auld saying the competition would expand to nine teams like then men’s at the time by 2019-20.

Instead, it has withered to just four and now looks in terminal condition.

The league produced a number of North Melbourne-Tasmanian Kangaroos draftees including Mia King, Abbey Green, Nicole Bresnehan and this year’s only Tasmanian selection, Brooke Brown.

Launceston playing coach Angela Dickson (front) celebrates on the sidelines at the final siren in the TSLW grand final. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Head of AFL Tasmania Damian Gill said North Launceston was unlikely to participate and the governing body was working through what that means for the competition.

“Our focus for football in Tasmania is ensuring that our leagues, clubs, players, umpires and volunteers are all in a position to be able to play, run and grow the game in the best possible way for the future,” Gill said.

“We want more girls and boys playing football at all levels.

“We need to ensure our competition structures are viable and are supporting participation growth across the state.

“We are working with all TSLW teams on the structure of the competition moving forward and we are committed to working with each club on their individual scenario and exploring all possible options available to them.”

TSLW state league women's first semi final between Clarence and North Launceston, played at Blundstone Arena, Hobart. (L-R) Sophie Farrow of North Launceston out in front. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

North Launceston, the powerhouse of the men’s competition, played just two years in the TSLW, and will lose $5000 of its AFL grant through its withdrawal.

The Northern Bombers won six from 15 games in its debut season and two from eight in a COVID-shortened 2020 season.

The TSLW had six teams in 2019 but Lauderdale withdrew before this year started after going winless in 2019, while the Tigers also went winless in 2020.

The Northern Bombers president Thane Brady caused controversy in the lead up to the 2018 state league grand final — the season before North Launceston joined the TSLW — when he questioned then AFL Tasmania chief executive Rob Auld’s decision to play the women’s decider after the men’s Development League grand final and right before the men’s TSL finale.

He likened the TSLW to a garage band playing between two headline acts, bringing the ire of many players

“Rob’s decision was a disaster – financially, as a spectacle and to the women’s brand he was pushing down the throats of people who paid good money to be entertained by the best brand of football in the state at the best facility,” Brady said in a Facebook post.

“The only winners on the day were the pubs around UTAS that filled up with people unable to wait around at the ground for the senior game.”

Brady was contacted for comment on the club withdrawing its women’s program.

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