Supergroup aimed at leading Tasmania to national sport’s promised land

Tasmania’s bid to get teams into national sporting competitions has been given a big push.

PREMIER Will Hodgman has formed a supergroup with his leading ministers to co-ordinate Tasmania’s bid for national sporting licenses and has declared the state has never been closer.

Led by Mr Hodgman with support from Treasurer Peter Gutwein, Deputy Premier, Sport and Recreation Minister Jeremy Rockliff and Minister for State Growth Michael Ferguson, it will prepare for the possibility of Tasmania landing an AFL license, returning to the NBL and entering the A-League.

“That’s why we’re trying to approach it in a very methodical way putting appropriate government resources and personnel behind it to engage with all stakeholders to get it across the line,” Mr Hodgman said.

New Tas AFL project team chairman Brett Godfrey at a press conference at Blundstone Arena, Bellerive. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

“But I know that it certainly with the NBL and the AFL, we’re a lot closer and it’s a lot more of a realistic proposition now for us.”

The group will look at what requirements would be needed from the public purse to assist national Tasmanian teams as well as for infrastructure.

“I’d love to think of such a scenario where we had all three,” he said.

“That might be wishful thinking but we have to plan for that eventuality and that’s why we’ve got a government committee together to try to manage the budget side of things — what would be expected of the state?”

“Because invariably whatever the clubs can get from our corporate community they will and we can help with that but it’s their job because they’ll come to us for the shortfall.

“I remain hopeful about us being able to accommodate all three, that’s certainly our hope. It maybe seen as ambitious but that is our hope.”

The group will also make the call on renewing contracts with the state’s two AFL tenants, Hawthorn and North Melbourne, beyond 2021.

The AFL Taskforce, chaired by Virgin Australia co-founder Brett Godfrey, is progressing quickly, having met AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan, Hawthorn and North Melbourne as well as a number of other stakeholders.

NBL owner and executive chairman Larry Kestelman is in exclusive negotiations with the Glenorchy City Council over the purchase of the Derwent Entertainment Centre.

It is believed Glenorchy is seeking $18 million for the DEC and surrounding lands, while Mr Kestelman has asked for up to $20 million from the Government to renovate the ageing piece of infrastructure, that could also include a new 10-court indoor centre for basketball and other indoor sports.

He is also seeking $1.5 million a year to start with to run a Tasmanian NBL team.

NBL owner Larry Kestelman. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

Hobart Chargers Club President David Bartlett with Hobart Chargers Coach Anthony Stewart. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

A Tasmanian NBL team advisory group has also been formed, including former Premier David Bartlett, Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin and Tasmania Hospitality Association boss Steve Old.

The A-League bid is being run interstate by Melbourne millionaire Harry Stamoulis, but with the league recently splitting from Football Federation Australia, it is hoped the competition could expand in coming years.

Mr Hodgman said as far as he was aware negotiations around the sale of the DEC were progressing smoothly, while he was due to meet Mr McLachlan soon to discuss the AFL push.

“We’ve spoken with (AFL) commissioners about the process and just to inform them of the progress we’re making and to give them confidence that we’re approaching it professionally and courteously but with a clear plan and time frame and resources with the right people engaged,” he said.

“So it’s all moving forward.”

Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman will lead minister on a committee containing his deputy Jeremy Rockliff and treasurer Peter Gutwein aimed at guiding Tasmania’s national sporting competitions push.