As of February 1, 2013 FootyConnect is available live, for the sixteen NTFL clubs, providing the first football dedicated online social media and communication platform - www.ntfootyconnect.com.au.
FootyConnect was lunched in partnership with AFLNT. Brad
Sam Collins, CEO of FootyConnect, said that making the site available to the NTFL clubs, members and fans is the first stage in our planned national role out.
Stewart, AFLNT Sponsorship and Marketing Manager said, "I believe FootyConnect offers the facilities to improve how footy communities communicate and coordinate activities. It can help to improve how clubs conduct their business, create new revenue streams, and recruit personnel to fill roles within their clubs."
"NTFootyConnect is available free to the footy community so supporters and fans can connect with and support their NTFL club. The more people that access it the more useful it becomes as a footy networking and business tool for clubs, players, volunteer staff and supporters."
"FootyConnect has gone through two years of research and development in order to ensure it is easy to use and meets the needs of grassroots footy. This is the first time it has gone live to users and we want to make sure we have it right. The NTFL season provides an ideal live environment to run the platform on a relatively small scale, in order to make any necessary modifications for the national platform.
Jarrad Ilett, CEO of NT Thunder is keen to see the footy community embrace the FootyConnect platform. "From a football industry perspective, I see real potential for FootyConnect to relieve some of the pressures we currently expose our dedicated volunteers and support staff to with twelve months of footy every year in the NT."
"FootyConnect can also provide exciting avenues for NT Thunder and clubs at any level of the game to profile, promote and tell their story through a professional network that has the capacity to reach a global audience."
"With a national service and network like FootyConnect, I hope we can better link trainers, doctors, Physio's, team managers, property stewards and anyone wanting to get involved with a football club across the Northern Territory.
"When launched nationally, it also has the facilities to better link us to the football community across the country and assist in overcoming the challenges we face due to geographical location and a small population compared to our southern competitors," Mr Ilett said.
Mr Collins added, "We have made NTFootyConnect as simple as possible for NTFL Clubs and supporters to make use of the platform. Clubs can simply claim their profile page and users can link their profiles easily with Facebook, and other social networking platforms so there is no need to re-enter personal information to get started."
"In Australia, there are around 1,400 senior football clubs, over 732,000 registered players, plus coaches, medical support staff, associated members and supporters. FootyConnect is dedicated to supporting them in making their local football clubs a success."