AFL Northern Territory (AFLNT) wishes to advise the PINT Football Club will join the TIO Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) Men’s Premier League competition from season 2022/23.
AFLNT worked closely with PINT in a process which has demonstrated promoting the club’s men’s program to Premier League has all the foundations for long-term success on and off the field.
The PINT Men’s Premier League team will be the ninth side in the competition, meaning all teams will have two bye rounds in the 2022/23 season.
AFLNT Community Football Manager Leigh Elder said during the evaluation process, PINT demonstrated it has all the key ingredients to join Premier League.
“The process established the structural elements and framework required for PINT to join the Men’s Premier League and all have been approved,” he said.
“Part of the framework includes ensuring a successful pathway from juniors to senior divisions is in place while also demonstrating sustainable resources are present within the club. The success of the PINT men over the past few seasons indicates the Premier League side will prove competitive against the other established teams.
“Importantly, the addition of a ninth team into the Premier League also provides the league with greater alignment with other divisions and competitive balance with all teams playing each other twice throughout the season.
PINT President Spencer Harvey said the club has worked hard to grow the club over the past few years and looks forward complementing the Women’s Premier League with a men’s side.
“Even though it will be a significant adjustment for the club, we are looking forward to putting our best foot first in order to make the team as successful as possible,” Harvey added.
“We have worked really hard on our Women’s Premier League and Reserves sides as well as in the junior space and can’t wait to take this next step and continue to grow the club.”
The 2022/23 fixture and competitive balance measures across the league will be released in due course.