AFL FOOTBALL IN TASMANIA
Following a meeting today between Premier Jim Bacon and AFL Chief Executive Wayne Jackson and General Manager Football Operations Andrew Demetriou in Hobart it has been agreed that no less than four home and away games will be played in Tasmania for the next two years at York Park as part of a five year agreement.
This arrangement is subject to confirmation of the extension of Hawthorn’s agreement.
Following the next two years, all parties including the State Government, the AFL, AFL Tasmania and Hawthorn and St Kilda will review the position in the context of the arrangement being beneficial to all concerned.
The review will focus on the outcomes regarding junior development, regional football, and the number of people in Tasmania supporting games by attendances and television ratings.
Mr Bacon said that the meeting was very productive and everyone was working towards the best interests of football in Tasmania.
Mr Jackson said that there was a strong relationship between the AFL and the Tasmanian Government.
“The AFL is encouraged by the increase in capacity of York Park and the future developmental work that will be carried out there.
“The AFL is working closely with QANTAS and is confident of direct flights from Perth, Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane to Launceston in order to reduce travel times for AFL teams.
“It is intended that the games will be broadcast nationwide on a 12.30-1pm start basis and be played on Sunday afternoons,” Mr Jackson said.
Following a meeting today between Premier Jim Bacon and AFL Chief Executive Wayne Jackson and General Manager Football Operations Andrew Demetriou in Hobart it has been agreed that no less than four home and away games will be played in Tasmania for the next two years at York Park as part of a five year agreement.
This arrangement is subject to confirmation of the extension of Hawthorn’s agreement.
Following the next two years, all parties including the State Government, the AFL, AFL Tasmania and Hawthorn and St Kilda will review the position in the context of the arrangement being beneficial to all concerned.
The review will focus on the outcomes regarding junior development, regional football, and the number of people in Tasmania supporting games by attendances and television ratings.
Mr Bacon said that the meeting was very productive and everyone was working towards the best interests of football in Tasmania.
Mr Jackson said that there was a strong relationship between the AFL and the Tasmanian Government.
“The AFL is encouraged by the increase in capacity of York Park and the future developmental work that will be carried out there.
“The AFL is working closely with QANTAS and is confident of direct flights from Perth, Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane to Launceston in order to reduce travel times for AFL teams.
“It is intended that the games will be broadcast nationwide on a 12.30-1pm start basis and be played on Sunday afternoons,” Mr Jackson said.
