The Scarecrow
3 Feb 2004, 21:42
Source: SFL Website (http://www.southernfootball.com.au)
The Southern Football League has accepted the recommendation of a taskforce to re-brand football in Southern Tasmania.
Chairman of the SFL, Roger Viney said it was very important for the future of football to have a higher level body in place to assist with Development, Marketing, Sponsorship, spiralling costs of Umpiring, Branding and Management.
“We now have agreement from the 16 clubs as the board of the SFL to move forward with a new relationship and become controlled by a new body, supported by the Australian Football League, and to be known as AFL Southern Tasmania.”
“This move follows a decision taken earlier this year at a public meeting where it was agreed to set up a taskforce to examine football in the south of the State. There was also agreement for the establishment of an executive controlled independent body called AFL Southern Tasmania,” said Mr Viney.
“AFL Southern Tasmania will consist of seven people with a portfolio to run football in Southern Tasmania.”
“Perhaps the greatest over-riding factor for our football family is the need for football in southern Tasmania to speak with the one voice. For the Corporate sector it’s extremely important that there should only be one voice.”
“The recommendations from the task force are felt to be the best method of delivering Football to the community and Corporate world as a package which is attractive, marketable and most of all, sustainable. With the acceptance of the branding comes the agreement and handing over of the ‘heads of power’ of the SFL, so that it becomes controlled by the new body to be called AFL Southern Tasmania.”
“The Clubs now have an important challenge ahead of them and that is the growth of Football in southern Tasmania.”
“I am hopeful that by early in the New Year the League will embrace the new structure which will strengthen Football in the South and will begin a rebirth of football in Tasmania.”
Mr Viney said the other significant issue from the player’s perspective is the Branding of local football. “No one would argue that the most powerful brand name in sport in this country is the “AFL.” This will allow for many advantages such as the simple lifting of the players and their own self esteem by lifting the local competitions profile as it has done in other states.”
“In looking at the future of the SFL, we need to speak to the market place with one unified voice as we seek out corporate sponsorship. A close working relationship with AFL Tasmania is vital for the local development of the sport. They have the resources and backup to assist in all development aspects of the game.”
“The clubs of the SFL have shown by their example that they are prepared to cover the ‘hard yards’ to further improve football in Tasmania,” Mr Viney said.
Chairman of AFL Tasmania, Peter Hodgman, said “ I congratulate Roger Viney and all 16 SFL Clubs for possessing vision and courage - the decision to hand over management powers to an executive controlled body will prove to be the catalyst to revitalise football in the southern half of Tasmania. I repeat, the decision is visionary and courageous.”
“AFL Tasmania, led by General Manager Scott Wade, looks forward to developing a very strong and mutually beneficial relationship with all stakeholders of southern Tasmanian football, from the STJFL to the Premier Division, and inclusive of all other aspects and competitions in the south.”
“This decision by the 16 SFL Clubs will result in a united football community,” Mr Hodgman said.
The Southern Football League has accepted the recommendation of a taskforce to re-brand football in Southern Tasmania.
Chairman of the SFL, Roger Viney said it was very important for the future of football to have a higher level body in place to assist with Development, Marketing, Sponsorship, spiralling costs of Umpiring, Branding and Management.
“We now have agreement from the 16 clubs as the board of the SFL to move forward with a new relationship and become controlled by a new body, supported by the Australian Football League, and to be known as AFL Southern Tasmania.”
“This move follows a decision taken earlier this year at a public meeting where it was agreed to set up a taskforce to examine football in the south of the State. There was also agreement for the establishment of an executive controlled independent body called AFL Southern Tasmania,” said Mr Viney.
“AFL Southern Tasmania will consist of seven people with a portfolio to run football in Southern Tasmania.”
“Perhaps the greatest over-riding factor for our football family is the need for football in southern Tasmania to speak with the one voice. For the Corporate sector it’s extremely important that there should only be one voice.”
“The recommendations from the task force are felt to be the best method of delivering Football to the community and Corporate world as a package which is attractive, marketable and most of all, sustainable. With the acceptance of the branding comes the agreement and handing over of the ‘heads of power’ of the SFL, so that it becomes controlled by the new body to be called AFL Southern Tasmania.”
“The Clubs now have an important challenge ahead of them and that is the growth of Football in southern Tasmania.”
“I am hopeful that by early in the New Year the League will embrace the new structure which will strengthen Football in the South and will begin a rebirth of football in Tasmania.”
Mr Viney said the other significant issue from the player’s perspective is the Branding of local football. “No one would argue that the most powerful brand name in sport in this country is the “AFL.” This will allow for many advantages such as the simple lifting of the players and their own self esteem by lifting the local competitions profile as it has done in other states.”
“In looking at the future of the SFL, we need to speak to the market place with one unified voice as we seek out corporate sponsorship. A close working relationship with AFL Tasmania is vital for the local development of the sport. They have the resources and backup to assist in all development aspects of the game.”
“The clubs of the SFL have shown by their example that they are prepared to cover the ‘hard yards’ to further improve football in Tasmania,” Mr Viney said.
Chairman of AFL Tasmania, Peter Hodgman, said “ I congratulate Roger Viney and all 16 SFL Clubs for possessing vision and courage - the decision to hand over management powers to an executive controlled body will prove to be the catalyst to revitalise football in the southern half of Tasmania. I repeat, the decision is visionary and courageous.”
“AFL Tasmania, led by General Manager Scott Wade, looks forward to developing a very strong and mutually beneficial relationship with all stakeholders of southern Tasmanian football, from the STJFL to the Premier Division, and inclusive of all other aspects and competitions in the south.”
“This decision by the 16 SFL Clubs will result in a united football community,” Mr Hodgman said.