Prospect Hawks booted from TSL

THE Prospect Hawks have been punted from the Tasmanian State League without ever putting boot to ball.

THE Prospect Hawks have been punted from the Tasmanian State League without ever putting boot to ball.

AFL Tasmania made the announcement late today that the Hawks would not be granted a licence next year — not that they used this year’s to full advantage, fielding no senior side in their debut season and a Development League team that was the laughing stock of its competition.

Prospect replaced the failing Western Storm, which had replaced South Launceston in the TSL from 2014.

MORE: PROSPECT HAWK’S HEADING FOR TSL EXIT

In September 2013, South Launceston became the first team in Tasmanian football history to be crowned premiers one day and be shown the door from their competition the next.

TSL general manager Carl Saunder. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Prospect was supposed to be the answer as Launceston’s third team, along with North Launceston and Launceston.

Most of Prospects players — mostly former Storm personnel — walked out preseason followed swiftly by the coach, leaving the club high and dry.

“AFL Tasmania acknowledges the difficult circumstances placed upon Prospect Hawks Football Club in 2016, and the efforts of the players, coaches and staff, who have continued to operate the Development League program to the best of their ability,” TSL general manager Carl Saunder said.

“The club is to be commended for the way it has conducted itself throughout this process but, ultimately, AFL Tasmania determined this decision was in the best interest of the club and the TSL competition moving forward.”

Prospect president Victor Marshall said the club was disappointed.

MORE: PROSPECT HAWKS STILL PRESSING AHEAD FOR TSL TEAM IN 2018

“Every effort has been made to put the club in a position where it had the capacity to compete in the TSL senior competition in the future,” he said.

“Ultimately the club is better placed to focus on it’s comprehensive community football programs.

“We will now look to reinforce our position in the Prospect community and pursue a number of positive development opportunities for the club, including facility upgrades at Prospect Park, women’s football, and an under-18 team in the NTFA, which would improve the pathway to our senior team.”

A decision on the best model for the Development League will be a focus at the Future of Football Forum next month.