Tasmanian State League clubs back Tassie VFL and Mariners teams
THE seven TSL clubs have thrown their official support for Tasmania to return to the VFL and the TAC Cup — but on one important condition.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE seven TSL clubs have thrown their official support for Tasmania to return to the VFL and the TAC Cup — but only if it is underpinned by a strong state league.
The presidents have sent a joint statement to the AFL’s steering committee via AFL Tasmania chief executive Trisha Squires this morning outlining their hopes for the future including:
A SEVEN team TSL competition to stay with a minimum of $1.3 million funding for the 7 teams and TSL administration, this funding is to be indexed annually at CPI.
A TEAM on the North-West Coast or an extra one in Launceston is desired but this needs to be explored as a business case with appropriate funding for the eighth team in addition to the $1.3 million.
THE return of a Tasmanian team to the VFL.
THE return of a Tasmanian team to the TAC Cup.
NO change to the TSL name or brand.
THE current TSL licences with AFL Tasmania to be fully honoured.
MORE: FUNDING BOMBSHELL FOR TSL
MORE: TSL CLUBS LAUNCH BROADSIDE AT AFL
The presidents said the rebirth of Tasmania’s VFL club, the Devils, was welcome but only if it was “funded externally and in addition to the TSL and has no impact on current or future TSL funding” and managed independently to the state league.
“All seven TSL clubs would appreciate the opportunity to be involved and consulted on how the linkages between the TSL and this team would be constructed and operate harmoniously into the future,” the statement said.
It was a similar push for the Mariners full time return to the TAC Cup, supported by three regional talent zones and talent managers, provided it had no impact on TSL funding.
“All seven TSL clubs are committed to working constructively with the talent managers to provide the professional environment within which they can develop the players to their full potential,” they wrote.
The clubs met Squires, AFL game development manager Rob Auld and AFL state league manager Simon Laughton on Thursday where they were told it was either the TSL or the VFL, but not both, and there was no more funding either way.
However, this stance had softened by Friday with the option of both back on the table.
But the presidents are still seeking a commitment to the current licence signed by the clubs and AFL Tasmania.
“We also mandate that we have an expectation that our current licence agreements are honoured by AFL until their expiry in 2023, we see no just cause to for either parties to seek early termination and we require no changes to the existing licences other than the indexation (CPI funding) clause mentioned above,” the presidents wrote.
The next meeting will be on May 22.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has made a commitment to return to Tasmania this month, but no date has been given yet.
Tassie draft hopeful’s massive shoes to fill
There are literally no footy shoes in his home state big enough for gun young ruckman Oliver Dean but, despite that, he is ready to take the big step into the AFL at next month’s draft.
The support network driving Clark’s AFLW dream
Tasmania’s Georgia Clark has taken the first footsteps into her AFLW career in recent weeks including a debut. She reveals what’s been key in the journey.