Football Tasmania releases competitions review outcomes

The future make-up of the NPL Tasmania and its underpinning leagues has been revealed, with Football Tasmania releasing the outcomes of an independent competition review.

Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

FOOTBALL Tasmania has released the outcomes of an independent competition review.

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Key outcomes of the review include:

— THE National Premier League Tasmania competition will remain at eight teams for at least the remainder of the current licence period (2022). This follows the decision on Tuesday by Clarence United and Hobart Zebras to merge in 2020;

— PROMOTION and relegation will be suspended for at least the remainder of the current licence period and will be reviewed again after further consultation with all clubs in the lead-up to 2022;

— FOOTBALL Tasmania intends to introduce an NPL statewide reserves competition from the commencement of the next licence period (2022), which will form part of the NPL criteria;

— THE Southern Championship and Championship 1 competitions will be expanded from 2020 and will include all southern-based NPL clubs. They will field teams in both competitions in addition to the NPL;

— THE Women’s Super League competition will continue in 2020 and beyond. A criteria will be developed in the coming months with the view to introducing this in 2021;

— AN underpinning Youth Championship competition will be introduced in the North and the South to accommodate female and male players who aspire to play at the highest level in Tasmania and potentially beyond; and

— WORKING with the clubs and associations, Football Tasmania will focus on growing the game through the provision of an expanded “community pathway” for players at all ages who are motivated to play more for enjoyment and participation.

The report also recommended that Football Tasmania actively pursue various pathway opportunities, in particular an A League, W League and Y League team in Tasmania, which would provide local opportunities for the most talented players, referees and coaches in this state.

Football Tasmania chief executive Matt Bulkeley said the review was about ensuring the current and future needs of football in Tasmania were well understood and incorporated into Football Tasmania’s broader strategy.

Matt Bulkeley . Picture: RICHARD JUPE

“Football in Tasmania is in great shape, but there’s still more that needs to be done,” Mr Bulkeley said.

“We need to make sure all of our competitions across all age groups and levels can evolve, respond and adapt to change and that’s really what this review was all about.”

“The review included numerous recommendations, all of which have been either accepted or accepted in-principle.

“We will now begin the process of working with the football community on the implementation of the recommendations.”

Football Tasmania president Bob Gordon said the Board was very pleased with the process and with the insights provided as part of the review.

MORE TO COME