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Tasmanian State League could be renamed Tasmanian Premier League

The Tasmanian State League could be renamed the Tasmanian Premier League as part of a raft of proposals discussed by the AFL steering committee into football in Tasmania in their final meeting.

As the AFL searches for ways to revitalise the states football ecosystem and align the competing needs of various sections of Tasmanian football, a name change is being considered.

Nick Riewoldt is part of the Tasmanian football steering committee.

Photo: AAP

Tasmanian State League presidents have been united in their belief that the seven remaining clubs in the competition are vital to the strength of football in the state and argued strongly that the AFL should provide support to ensure they see out the 10-year licence agreements signed in 2013.

The AFL is understood to be prepared to provide the annual $100,000 funding to the seven remaining clubs in the competition as long as they are tied to KPIs relating to the development of football in their zones, club management and community engagement and have asked clubs to provide input to the KPIs they should be expected to meet.

The AFL is expected to take responsibility for development of the game in the north-west, which had two clubs, Burnie and Devonport, withdraw from the state league before the start of the season.
They have also pledged to fund development officers in the state as they seek to boost participation and ensure talented young Tasmanian players have the opportunity to be drafted.

The steering committee, which includes AFL great Nick Riewoldt, coaches Brendon Bolton and Chris Fagan, and is chaired by AFL CEO Gill McLachlan, is expected to make recommendations to the AFL Commission, which could include the re-introduction of a Tasmanian team in the TAC Cup and opportunities for mature-aged Tasmanian players to be selected in VFL teams, with an announcement expected by the June 30 deadline.

Peter Ryan

Peter Ryan joined The Age in 2017 having covered AFL as a senior reporter with AFL Media.

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