AFL Tasmania to offer TSL “rollover” as waiting game continues on AFL licence

AFL Tasmania has written to TSL presidents revealing the future direction of the state league competition as Tasmania’s bid for a licence remains up the air. See what the letter said >>

Launceston’s Jackson Thurlow and Bailey Gillow celebrate a goal in the TSL Grand Final 2022 against the Tigers. Picture: Linda Higginson

THE Head of AFL Tasmania Damian Gill has written to all seven TSL presidents and advised a rollover of the current license agreement will be offered to clubs for 2024 should a decision on a Tasmanian AFL team not be handed down by the end of March.

With the current TSL license due to end at the conclusion of the 2023 season, AFL Tasmania had committed to advising clubs of the competition’s future at the conclusion of the state’s AFL license process.

But with that decision taking longer than previously expected and the future structure of Tasmanian football up in the air until a decision has been made, TSL presidents and underpinning associations were sent a letter on Monday informing them of the short-term plans for the state’s top flight football competition.

Head of AFL Tasmania Damian Gill with Colin Garland. Picture: Solstice Digital.

In the letter, obtained by The Mercury on Tuesday, Gill said that while it was important for AFL Tasmania to continue to align its future direction with the broader Tasmanian AFL license agreement, they also did not wish to put their stakeholders in a position where any change to the current model would feel rushed.

“There continues to be much discussion on the future for football in Tasmania and while there is widespread excitement, I acknowledge there are a range of questions that remain unanswered as the AFL license application process continues,” Gill’s letter read.

“As a valued stakeholder, I want to provide an update on the current status of the Tasmanian AFL license process and how it connects to local football in our state.

“We have long committed to the football community that following the Tasmanian AFL license decision, we will be in a position to set a holistic vision for local football. This certainly remains the case and we are committed to the future vision of local football being well considered and well mapped out. We have worked hard on this over recent seasons and we do not wish to put our valued stakeholders in a position where the evolution of the landscape feels rushed onto them.

Launceston will be gunning for a fourth straight TSL premiership in 2023. Picture: Linda Higginson

“If the AFL license process is still pending by the end of March 2023, to provide certainty over playing in the TSL competition, we will be offering a rollover of current arrangements to existing TSL clubs for season 2024. This would mean existing competition structures continue as is for 2023 and 2024.

“This also means that any vision for local football is given due time to be worked through with stakeholders and appropriate consideration made to any potential evolution of competitions.”

While Gill appreciated this arrangement didn’t provide immediate long-term answers, he said they were committed to providing one once the AFL license outcome is handed down, whenever that may be.

“I appreciate this scenario does not immediately provide long-term answers and to that end we remain committed to providing the football community a holistic vision for local football once the AFL license process is resolved. As a football community, it is important we do not rush and that we make decisions with all information available to us.”

The 2023 TSL season is set to begin in April with the fixture due to be released in the coming weeks.

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