Tigers take bite out of AFL Tasmania as women’s side falls over

A local footy club has blamed the “systematic failure of AFL Tasmania” over its handling of female football, as it puts its women’s team into recess for 2021. LATEST >>

• Future in grave doubt for Tasmania’s top women’s footy competition
• TLSW teams Launceston, Clarence and Glenorchy about to find new competition for their women’s teams

THE Hobart Football Club has savaged AFL Tasmania over its handling of female football as it put its women’s team into recess for 2021.

In a statement, the club said it made the decision to withdraw its team from the SFLW competition due to a number of factors, including the “systematic failure of AFL Tasmania to stabilise the multiple flailing women’s leagues that already exist throughout the state under a common set of administrative rules.”

Head of AFL Tasmania Damian Gill denied Hobart’s statement, saying there were strong and sustainable women’s competitions.

AFL Tasmania CEO Damian Gill at North Hobart Oval. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“We are working closely with the SFLW, NTFAW and NWFLW on the structure for 2021, with three strong regional leagues with aspirational opportunities being provided through representative football and a statewide finals series,” Gill said.

“We are also assembling a women’s football advisory group with key voices from across women’s football to work through the evolution of structures in the state moving forward.”

Hobart president Josh Munting said the race to expand women’s football historically had left it structurally unsound.

He said the creation of more women’s teams had resulted in players leaving existing clubs to join new teams rather than an increase of female players, leaving Hobart with no choice but to go into recess in 2021 but with plans to return the following season.

Some team members of The Kingborough Tigers, (L-R) Sophie Botterill-James, Ruby Thalmann, Halle Griggs, Laura Chatterton, Allie Blanden. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

Hobart’s withdrawal comes after the collapse of the TSLW after North Launceston and the Kingborough Tigers pulled out, leaving just Clarence, Glenorchy and Launceston wanting to play in a women’s state league competition.

“In an unstructured attempt by AFL Tasmania to grow women’s footy in Tasmania, many clubs have or are facing the tough decision to withdraw from these separate leagues,” Hobart’s statement said.

“The HFC has made its views known that women’s football in Tasmania has to date lacked the appropriate structure and resources to fund, support and grow a sustainable women’s competition.

“Uncertainty surrounding the TSLW competition and the possible creation of an Old Scholars Womens competition, without a fully developed youth girls pathway has presented the club with challenges in fielding a side for the 2021 season.”

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