Today, AFL Northern Territory announced that a number of exciting initiatives relating to the future composition of the Northern Territory’s oldest and most prestigious sporting competition, the Northern Territory Football League have been endorsed by the AFLNT Board.
AFLNT’s proposed NTFL expansion strategy will take its next carefully planned step with two teams, the newly formed Central Australian Football Club and the current NTFL Division One Premiers, Banks Football Club, being granted a provisional NTFL license which will allow each club to play a four game trial in the upcoming 2012/13 TIO NTFL Season.
According to AFLNT CEO Tony Frawley, "the proposed entry of the Central Australian Football Club into the NTFL promises to be as exciting as the entry of the Tiwi Bombers and the Wadeye Magic into the league.
"The Central Australian Football Club has been formed to give the town of Alice Springs the opportunity to be represented at the highest level and whilst we are excited about the prospect of an Alice team competing in the NTFL, full entry into the league will be contingent on a number of strict criteria being met during and after the trial period."
Frawley is also pleased with the Banks Bulldogs desire to improve their existing club structures with a view to gaining full entry into the NTFL.
"Banks are currently liaising with our Strategic Planning Manager and are commissioning an extensive business case that will outline plans for the future direction of the club. The four game trial will provide Banks with an excellent insight into what it takes to compete at NTFL Premier league level both on and off the field."
Frawley is confident that a four game trail will benefit both clubs, the league and AFLNT and will allow further planning to take place.
"We feel that four games will give both clubs an idea of the challenges that lie ahead as they seek to gain full entry into the Premier League. We will sit down with both clubs after the trial period and conduct a full review to assess the success of the trial and what both clubs need to do to take the next all important step toward full entry. We expect the existing NTFL clubs to be supportive of the trial as an expanded league will bring multiple benefits for all the existing premier league clubs. We will be working closely with the club presidents to ensure this is the case.
"It should also be noted that a Katherine team that has been in the planning stages for a number of months will apply for entry in season 2013/14, most likely into Division one initially," advised Frawley, pointing towards further growth of the NTFL in the coming years.
Frawley also confirmed that in response to AFLNT’s call for interested parties wishing to relocate or form a new club in the city of Palmerston two high quality submissions, one from the Darwin Buffaloes and one from a newly formed community group, were received and are now being considered by the AFLNT Board.
"Both submissions are exceptionally well presented and both certainly have merit. The AFLNT Board is now considering both submissions and will take as much time as is necessary to come to the right decision. AFLNT is committed to growing the game of AFL in Palmerston.
"The relocation or formation of a second club is a key component of our Palmerston growth strategy therefore we cannot make a hasty decision, we need to be 100% sure that the right decision is made and I commend the board for their measured approach to assessing the submissions. We also have some additional work to do with a number of key stakeholders to ensure that there is a solid foundation in place for a second club in Palmerston."