The AFL has today recommended that all AFL Community Club competitions and NAB AFL Auskick Centres currently operating - or about to start - are postponed to the end of May 2020.
This will directly impact competitions throughout the Territory including the Central Australian Football League, Big Rivers Football League and Barkly Australian Football League.
At this stage, there has been no decision regarding the immediate future of additional organised competitions and programs in the eight remote communities where AFLNT Remote Development Managers are based.
AFLNT acknowledges this will be a difficult time for many people involved in the NT’s football communities, however the health and well-being of fans, players, umpires, officials, partners and communities is the number one priority during this time.
AFLNT CEO Stuart Totham said given the current climate of uncertainty and complexity, the AFL had made the decision to take decisive action now.
“AFLNT will do everything we can to support and protect our community football competitions and the people involved during these challenging times,” he said.
“It is vital players, coaches, administrators, supporters, sponsors and kids retain close links to their local clubs, Auskick Centres and the wider league network.
“We will continue to meet with the AFL in relation to community football and will regularly review this decision based on the changing circumstances and advice from government and relevant health departments and medical experts.
“We also know how important our remote programs are in communities and these may still be possible – and important – if a community has been quarantined. We’re continuing to work through this issue and will update those communities when we can.”
The AFL’s full statement on community football can be found here.
A comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions guide surrounding this decision is available here.