TSL clubs to submit financial details before AFL Tasmania hands over funding

There will be no AFL Tasmania funding for State League football clubs until they provide one very important detail.

TSL, Tigers and Launceston during the game at Windsor Park. PICTURE CHRIS KIDD

TASMANIA’S seven State League football clubs have been asked to submit “mini budgets” to AFL Tasmania as they wait to see how much funding they will receive in the coronavirus-interrupted TSL season.

The club presidents held a teleconference discussion about their annual funding with AFL Tasmania CEO Trish Squires, State League general manager Carl Saunder and manager of public affairs and infrastructure Damian Gill.

Fearing their annual $100,000 AFL grants would be cut completely, it now appears the clubs may receive only a portion of what they were promised during the pandemic shutdown.

“We’ve been asked to provide some financial information to them [AFL Tasmania] and we will find out where we stand next week,” North Hobart president Craig Martin said.

“We all agreed it is absolutely vital we get football up and going again once the pandemic is over and it is safe to do so.

“It is critical for the communities we are covering we do that.

“All of the presidents and AFL Tas are on the same page, and that’s terrific.”

North Hobart Football Club president Craig Martin. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

The TSL season has been postponed until May 31, with that date to be reviewed early that month.

“To AFL Tasmania’s credit they have gotten on the front foot with the funding, and have asked us to provide some not-too-detailed information about cash flows and how the clubs are coping at the moment and what the impact of the coronavirus will be on the balance sheet,” Martin said.

“We will do that and they will come back to us next week.

“I think AFL Tas wouldn’t have asked for the financial information if they were not going to consider giving us funding.”

AFL Tasmania CEO Trisha Squires. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Squires said the clubs would get all the help AFL Tasmania could provide under the circumstances.

“It is a difficult time for everyone and while we all love football, the health and wellbeing of the Tasmanian community is our priority,” she said.

“We understand in these tough times that there are many questions being raised in the football community and we are working in addressing the challenges in front of us as a sport.

“We appreciate the understanding and collaborative approach of the TSL clubs in working through a challenging and uncertain period. We will be providing tools in the coming days to assist with the necessary steps for the sustainability of all leagues and clubs.”