From the FFT Board of Directors
We would like to thank all the clubs which have given so freely of their time to support the infrastructure review. A draft report was presented to the Board of Football Federation Tasmania for our consideration and we will now move to the next phase. This involves the engagement of some professional services to assist in the development of a strategic plan to go to the various parties within government to garner their support for infrastructure funding.
The key outtakes of the infrastructure review so far fall into four major categories from the general perspective of clubs. The first two are expanded access to pitches and an improvement in the quality of playing surfaces to support increase use. This issue is reflected in the fact that most clubs find themselves requiring facilities from between 9-11 months of the year; rather than the 6 months on and off of past generations. The third and fourth categories relate to actual infrastructure development and works and the major projects for clubs are around the installation and/or improvement of lights and the upgrading of changerooms. There are of course additional priorities on a club-by-club basis; but the Board feels that support should be provided on the four categories referred to above.
We will continue forward with the infrastructure priorities and look to engage further with clubs as we work towards the planned state election in 2018.
In regard to matters on the field, there has been feedback from clubs regarding the plans around promotion and relegation between the northern and southern championships and the NPL competition and also the expansion of our top-tier for men to 10 teams at the end of the 2018 season.
As we advised in December 2016, in line with our objectives to grow the game, two teams will be promoted to the NPL at the end of next season. This will increase the league to 10 teams for 2019 and from that point we will have on-going promotion and relegation.
Often we may be criticised for implementing quick decision but in this case we are pleased we will have been able to give clubs almost 3 years notice prior to the first time we introduce relegation to our NPL competition.
Finally, a brief comment regarding constitutional reform at Football Federation Australia. FIFA has requested that the national congress (their term for the stakeholders who vote in the Football Federation Australia board) is expanded from the current 9 member federations and 1 A league vote, reflecting the changes in Australian football over the past 15 years. The FFT Board is a supporter of this initiative and, with our colleagues in the other states, we are working towards providing additional representation for the A-League clubs as well as professional players in both the men’s and women’s game. We look forward to seeing a positive resolution to the various issues and smooth progress towards at new structure in-time for the November AGM of FFA.