Clubs line up for Nothern Premier League inclusion

Rhind, who replaced Scott Rigby in the role last month, is also determined to ensure the clubs in tiers below the six-team top division are well supported and sustainable as footy in the state prepares for a major overhaul.

AFL Tasmania has been taking expressions of interest from clubs over the past few months, with formal applications due later this month.

An announcement on successful applications is expected in March, and southern and north-west-based premier leagues will also be set up.

“We’ve been impressed with the amount of clubs who have put their hand up to be part of the premier league. There has been quite a few,” Rhind said.

“We want to be the best premier league competition in the state. We’ll get together and figure out how we can be that.

“The main criteria the clubs have been asked to meet is above and beyond the criteria we have now for our (NTFA) premier division.

“The criteria is across the board. It’s not so much in the financial space that’s going to see us take the next step in the competition, it’s more around coaching standards, facilities and administrative excellence as well.”

Rhind said the aim is to put a structure in place which caters for players who want to play at a casual level, and those with higher ambitions to create sustainability for NTFA clubs and the competition.

He’s also keen to ensure all clubs who don’t make the final premier league club are catered for.

“A lot of talk has been about the premier league the last few months, but the reality is there’s 15 clubs who are facing the same uncertainty,” Rhind said.

“We’ve started initial talks about what the NTFA competition looks like underneath the premier league, and what support we’re going to try and put in place for those clubs.

“The essence of the conversations we’ve had with the club presidents and boards is we want our competitions and clubs to be sustainable. Our aim is to bring policies to help that now and into the future.

“That’s why we’re starting these conversations now. It gives clubs the chance to prepare for that transition, but also a chance to step back and have a look at their club, assess where it’s at and where it’ll fit in the future.

“Our goal is to give them (premier league clubs) the best support possible, as well as giving the clubs who aren’t successful and playing in the competitions below the best support as well.

“It’s not just about the premier league, we’ve got a whole massive competition to support.

“There will be people who just want to play because they love the game, but there will be others striving for success as well.

“We want to get the structure to a point where people can play for the love of it, but those who want to get better can progress through the various levels of competition.”

AFL Tasmania announced on Friday that Brighton would be the sixth team in the Southern Premier League, joining current TSL sides Clarence, Kingborough, Glenorchy, Lauderdale and North Hobart.

Originally published as Clubs line up for Nothern Premier League inclusion