AFLNT’s latest participation census has revealed an astonishing increase of 29% in total participation in AFL programs in the NT, an incredible 19% more then the next state, Queensland who recorded an impressive 10% growth. A total of 27, 254 Territorians are now actively engaged in AFL programs, up from 21,097 in 2011.
AFLNT CEO Tony Frawley is delighted with the latest participation statistics, “Based on these figures 12% of the NT’s population now plays AFL, a nationally significant statistic and further proof that AFL football is the sport of choice in the NT,” said Frawley.
The growth in participation has been driven by additional game development and remote project resources working closely with local schools and the community as a whole to ensure that in line with AFLNT’s 5 year strategy, every Territorian has access to a structured football program irrespective of location, gender or age. AFLNT’s biggest increase has been in female football, schools footy and remote leagues.
Frawley views the participation figures as the key driver of interest in the Territories premier sporting competition, the NTFL.
“People who play the game love the game in general so our exceptionally high participation figures drive interest in the iconic TIO NTFL competition and NT Thunder. This years TIO NTFL is a truly Territorian affair with the Central Australian Redtails playing a four game trial and Banks Bulldogs taking a step up in class from Div 1 to Premier League also for a four game trial,”
Having such a strong local competition and high participation figures across all programs, projects and remote locations has further cemented AFL’s position as the number 1 sport in the NT. The theme of this years TIO NTFL is ‘the spirit of the Territory’ as we believe that the TIO NTFL competition and the wonderful football we are privileged to watch week in week out truly is the spirit of the Territory,”
Frawley is also delighted with the ABC’s decision to move TIO NTFL football broadcasts into a primetime slot on Saturdays,
”In 2012-13 the TIO NTFL Season will be broadcast across the NT by host broadcaster ABC, who have secured the popular 3:00pm slot on Saturday afternoons to broadcast 15 games during the season. Local footy deserves a primetime slot as it is such an important part of the Territories social and cultural fabric it deserves to be seen by as wide an audience as possible”
“This is a fantastic outcome for the Territory footy, by making the game more accessible to those that want it and to provide the football loving public specifically in remote communities better access to the TIO NTFL it will assist greatly in promoting the TIO NTFL right across the NT,” said AFLNT CEO Tony Frawley.
“The vast expanses of the NT and weather conditions during the wet season makes it terribly hard to get footy into the remote communities but this way they can watch their team,”
The ABC TV Broadcasts will commence Round 4 by covering the Central Australian Redtails in the final game of their four game trial against last years Grand Finalists, Nightcliff at TIO Stadium.
“The Redtails will get one of their trial games covered and we thank the ABC for covering to assist with the promotion and momentum of that project in Central Australia.”
ABC Local Radio will also be covering numerous TIO NTFL Games during the TIO NTFL Season and have committed to seven games up until Round 10.
“Radio has been a long standing pillar of the TIO NTFL coverage, and we appreciate the local support from Charlie King and his team in continuing to cover TIO NTFL footy,” advised Frawley.
AFL Northern Territory will again in 2012-13 be broadcasting TIO NTFL Matches that are not shown by ABC on Saturdays, live via AFLNTv!, AFLNT’s YouTube Channel each and every week of the regular NTFL Season.
“The LIVE streaming of TIO NTFL games has been built on the success of ThunderVISION and this medium also provides access to the footy starved southern states where our numbers are greatest,” advised Frawley.
“In all the 2012-13 TIO NTFL Season coverage will provide unprecedented access to more games every weekend which is a great outcome for the growth of the local game.”