‘Gutwrenching’: Parents up in arms over decision to move junior footy finals from UTAS Stadium

Parents have slammed the decision to move the Northern Tasmanian Junior Football Association grand finals from UTAS Stadium to allow for the AFL elimination finals.

A DECISION to move the Northern Tasmanian Junior Football Association grand finals from UTAS Stadium to allow for an AFL elimination final to be played has been described by some parents as “gut wrenching.”

Five of the nine matches scheduled this Sunday were to be played at UTAS Stadium with the remainder at Invermay Park.

Many commented on the decision on social media, one described it as “very disappointing” after the work put in by the teams.

“It’s not fair for all the junior teams who worked their butts to make to their only or possibly last grand final in youth or for life, to be robbed of their opportunity to play on a big field and massive stadium,” another said.

Others praised the efforts of the NTJFA to ensure the season was able to happen for the young players when in many parts of Australia it couldn’t.

The NTJFA has confirmed the games scheduled for UTAS will be now played in Longford.

Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten said while hosting the AFL finals was fantastic for the city he understood why some may be upset by the decision to move the matches.

“I fully understand the disappointment, we offered for them to have it a week later at UTAS Stadium, but I believe procedures were in place and that wasn’t possible.

“Having the AFL finals are an exception to a rule, it wasn’t my call to have it, but it’s something that’s happening and we have to work around it.”

AFL Tasmania’s Launceston regional manager Aaron Roberts said the venues sourced by the NTJFA were suitable alternatives.

Aaron Naughton of the Bulldogs marks the ball ahead of Jordan Ridley of the Bombers during the 2021 AFL Round 21 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Essendon Bombers at Marvel Stadium on August 8, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“We obviously feel a bit of compassion for what’s happened, but football is happening in Tasmania when it isn’t in two thirds of the country and that’s a really good thing.

“I completely understand the disappointment, lots of kids have been in the NTJFA for eight years, they weren’t there (at UTAS Stadium) last year, it’s not always guaranteed the grand final.”

In the first of the AFL finals at UTAS Stadium the Sydney Swans play the GWS Giants on Saturday afternoon, with the Western Bulldogs taking on the Essendon Bombers on Sunday

afternoon.

“The AFL is going to compensate junior AFL Tas with a small allocation of tickets, so hopefully some of the kids and some of our volunteers will be able to get down to the game on Saturday,” Mr Roberts said.