At a special general meeting of the Top End Australian Football Association (TEAFA) clubs and board on Wednesday 21st April, 2010 the proposed merger with the NTFL was given the final tick of approval with a majority vote.
"AFLNT is extremely pleased with the outcome, and now we can look forward to creating the new three tier competition which will ultimately benefit the development of Australian Rules Football in the Top End," said AFL Northern Territory Chief Executive Officer Tony Frawley.
"The process for the merger began two years ago, and the strategic planning and due diligence conducted by all parties concerned including AFLNT, NTFL Clubs, TEAFA and the TEAFA clubs was pleasing and we now have consensus on a model that will be implemented for the forthcoming season commencing in October 2010."
Resulting from Wednesday nights decision will be a three tiered competition and the new look NTFL competition will be as outlined below for the 2010/11 Season along with some of the key features of the new system:
- NTFL Premier Division (Eight NTFL Clubs)
- NTFL Division 1 (11 teams, seven NTFL Reserve teams plus four TEAFA A-Grade clubs)
- NTFL Division 2 (10 teams, eight TEAFA B-Grade and stand alone clubs plus two NTFL development teams
- TEAFA history will be preserved through the AFLNT Hall of Fame, NTFL Life Memberships and other award categories incorporating TEAFA achievements.
- TEAFA General Manager to be employed by AFLNT and join the existing six full-time football operations staff at AFLNT housed at TIO Stadium. This will provide key operational support to the TEAFA clubs inline with NTFL Club support policy.
- TEAFA clubs to receive increased benefits and representation for decision making at NTFL Presidents meetings.
- Increased development opportunity through talent identification programs currently run via AFLNT.
- Increased competition and generation of new challenges to TEAFA clubs.
- Gardens Oval will be retained as a venue for all three divisions with TEAFA clubs to receive home games at Gardens Oval.
- All TEAFA umpires to be offered membership with the NTFL Umpires Association under AFLNT Umpiring Development program.
"With the advent of the Tiwi Bombers three years ago we had a point of difference in the NTFL, with the addition of the TEAFA merger we now add a new flavor to the mix and another dimension that will see the NTFL grow to new heights," said Frawley.
TEAFA President Mike Harrison was also pleased with the outcome of the merger and sees the merger as a natural progression for the TEAFA clubs and believes the benefits outweigh any negatives associated with the move.
"The merger will provide a platform to grow the game in the Top End, including providing opportunities for new teams from communities," said Harrison.
"TEAFA will now focus on working hard with AFLNT to ensure that the transition to the competition is as smooth as possible."
AFLNT has also accepted a submission from AFL Katherine for a Under 18 team in the 2010/11 TIO NTFL Season as well as additional junior teams from Tracy Village Football Club.
"Development is one of our key focuses and we are extremely pleased that Tracy Village have come to the fore to place a junior team in the NTFL next year, this will only ensure their club’s survival in the long term," said Frawley.
"We envisage the Katherine Under 18 team to grow into a senior NTFL team based on their performance in the NTFL Under 18 Competition in 2010/11, this again will add a further dimension and diversity to the NTFL."
The three tier NTFL competition will commence from the 2010/11 season.
Who: AFLNT CEO Tony Frawley, TEAFA President Mike Harrison
What: TEAFA – NTFL Merger Press Conference
When: Today, 11:45am
Where: TIO Stadium, in front of new AFLNT Offices