Why Community Clubs should play in Regional Competitions. Background 1. In 2008 AFL Tasmania established the Tasmanian Statewide League (TSL) and offered five year licences (2009 – 2013) to ten existing community clubs in Tasmania. AFL Tasmania offered to manage, promote and grow a quality football product in quality club environments for the community and supported by the community. AFL Tasmania would provide $50k funding per annum to each club to undertake non gameday tasks previously done by paid employees of AFL Tas. In reality there was no financial gain to clubs. TSL clubs are under severe financial stress. 2. The TSL would provide the opportunity for all stakeholders of Tasmanian Football to work together to: grow, develop and promote the game at a community level. Each club was to field seniors and reserves teams. Underage teams were to play in regional competitions. Goal posts were changed – reserves gone and left with an age restricted competition. This had a detrimental effect with clubs lacking depth in the players available to step up when senior team injuries occurred. 3. While it was expected that AFL Tasmania would provide support and development opportunities for clubs it was not envisaged that individual clubs would be provided with additional financial support during the term of the licence. Support has been provided to individual clubs as AFL Tasmania has seen fit and the lack of transparency on these matters with fellow clubs has been non-existent. Central governance of the TSL disenfranchised clubs from future direction settings and decision making. 4. Note: A quote from the TSL Business Plan 2008 Page 16 ‘Virtually none of the 24 clubs surveyed supported the ‘perfect model’ that was presented to the ‘Tasmanian football family’ by AFL Tasmania in late October 2007. This model promoted a seniors only competition that was based around district representative teams rather than existing football clubs, similar to a TAC Cup model.’ Why do clubs have to accept a flawed, imperfect TSL model? Now 5. In 2013 a ten year licence agreement is being negotiated with six community clubs and four new regionalised ‘clubs’ part owned and underwritten by AFL Tasmania. Not only does this introduce a conflict of interest for AFL Tasmania but it also has a track record of bias among clubs through the inequitable allocation of funds. 6. We believe that the experience of the past five years has clearly demonstrated that community clubs participating in a now AFL Tasmania ‘privately owned’ competition are extremely vulnerable to the owner’s wishes. Clubs are severely financially challenged, volunteers overstretched, club brands and histories are at high risk and clubs are struggling to maintain community relevance. It has been clearly demonstrated that AFL Tasmania has no regard for community club brands, colours logos etc.. 7. At least four of the ten clubs will now be part owned and operated by the competition owner. Apparently financial losses incurred by the four clubs will be underwritten by AFL Tasmania for varying periods of time (one to three years). There is no incentive for community clubs and their volunteers to exercise appropriate financial governance while other clubs can operate at a financial loss. How can clubs exist in an environment when AFL Tasmania financially assists some clubs in attracting marquee players? Obviously marquee players will be targeted by clubs part owned by AFL Tasmania. 8. The new TSL model is designed around elite younger player teams – not clubs, certainly not community clubs! The reason AFL Tasmania is retaining some community clubs is so it can cannibalise the clubs of their financial and human resources (i.e. volunteers) and gain access to club infrastructure resources (i.e. grounds, kiosks and function rooms). At the same time they do not value community club brands and histories and are currently undermining long standing relationships with local governments. AFL Tasmania has recently approached local governments about leasing grounds currently used by community clubs. 9. Clubs are being offered up to $100k per annum for the next licence period. Clubs report that lack of spectator support for southern Tasmanian games in which north/ north west teams participate generate up to nearly $10k profit less than for local games. This occurs three times a year – a loss of up to $30k per year. The lost of reserves has exacerbated financial pressures on clubs and caused senior team imbalances i.e. lack of depth in playing group. The overall decreases in game attendance (even for ‘southern’ games), player participation, club memberships and sponsorship have also severely impacted the bottom line of participating clubs. The original $50k per annum from AFL Tasmania to clubs was a cost shift and therefore clubs are over $50k in arrears to start with. No wonder some clubs have received additional funds. The TSL model does not allow for clubs to be financially sustainable into the future. What do regional competitions provide? Financial sustainability 10. It is accurate to say that at least half of the participating TSL clubs have annual operating losses for one or more years during the license period (see Para. 9). AFL Tasmania has stated that bums on seats are not important. (hardly promoting community based football clubs). These comments have put increasing financial pressure on clubs – less people are attending games! Community clubs want their communities and visitors to attend games. 11. Competing in a regional three team per club competition will increase player participation, increase attendance numbers and provide additional volunteers. This would significantly relieve financial stress on clubs. In the previous SFL Premier League competition all clubs were able to trade in a profitable environment. Competition administrative costs would be minimal. 12. In the TSL model, all finals gate monies, sponsorships and catering commissions are retained by AFL Tasmania. In a regional competition these monies are shared by the clubs. Sponsorship 13. All clubs are struggling to attract sponsors. There are two AFL clubs actively canvassing for sponsorship and membership dollars in the state. AFL Tasmania also attracts sponsorship and, despite your club providing the product, little if any of this money is delivered to clubs. It is retained in AFL Tasmania coffers! Volunteers 14. Greater player participation and game attendance in a three team regional competition will provide a greater pool of potential volunteers. This will also allow clubs to be more community relevant. Brands, colours and histories protected 15. There is no guarantee in the new TSL model that remaining ‘community’ clubs will retain their current branding and colours. One TSL club President commented in the Mercury that there would be further changes during the period of the new model. Clubs beware! If there are clashes in regional competitions then these are catered for by the competition rules! Development programs/pathways could be maintained and possibly strengthened 16. We acknowledge that young Tasmanian footballers need an appropriate pathway for their development. This would still be deliverable with considered planning and implementation. AFL Tasmania could use it resources to maintain and improve player pathways and may even revisit programs such as an extended Mariner program. 17. Recent statistics show that during the last period of regional competitions (2001/09) a total of 35 players were drafted at an average of 3.8 per year. During the TSL period 2010/12 nine players were drafted (average of 3 per year). This could be interpreted that the level of playing standard is marginal between TSL and regional competitions or is a testament to the old adage that ‘the cream will rise to the top’ no matter the competition! Competition advantages 18. Intrastate games/ state premierships could be re-introduced. This would generate significant supporter interest and also be financially advantageous for clubs. Tasmanian AFL team aspiration 19. Cohesive, competently administered and community relevant regional football competitions would provide a stronger foundation for a Tasmanian based AFL team Summary 20. In 2008 plan one of the TSL’s main building blocks was communities – unfortunately AFL Tasmania has, and will continue to, disenfranchise community football clubs. 2l. Club members need to be aware that there club will not be more financially sustainable at this time next year even with an additional AFL Tasmania grant of $50k and your volunteer group will continue to be overstretched. 22. Next year will your club be part owned by AFL Tasmania and will my club be part-owned by AFL Tasmania? Will my club’s brand, colours and history be protected in such an arrangement? Recent experience would indicate NO! 23. AFL Tasmania has offered no commitment to ensuring greater transparency regarding financial matters between AFL Tasmania and member clubs. 24. We encourage community clubs to review its commitment to AFL Tasmania and the TSL and to participate in regional competitions owned and operated by members clubs. We believe that strong community relevant competitions will provide the best outcome for Tasmanian players and supporters. 25. Let us rebuild the community’s passion for their football clubs and competitions in a trusting and sustainable community environment. SAVE TASMANIAN FOOTBALL group
Posted on: Wed, 11 Sep 2013 03:11:04 +0000
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