IT’S TIME TO ACT
Kennedy calls for Government action at AFL Tas
THE Tasmanian Government should have more of a say in the running of local football given its multimillion-dollar investment into the code, according to one TSL coach.
Glenorchy leader Paul Kennedy believes with changes underway at AFL Tasmania as part of a nationwide restructure, now is the time for the Government to step in and assist building a model which will ensure the viability of football in the state. Chief executive Trisha Squires is leaving the role for AFL Queensland after just two-and-a-half turbulent years, while Tasmania’s talent pathway will be operated out of Melbourne’s AFL House.
Current AFL Tasmania public affairs and infrastructure state manager Damian Gill will be promoted to head of AFL Tasmania from November 1.
“It does concern me, the amount of work he [Gill] has to do, how can he possibly cover all the different stakeholders,” Kennedy said. “How can he take care of the AFL’s agenda of their high performance stuff and help out with that, and then look after community footy, look after TSL footy, it is going to be really tough and he is going to have to prioritise what is important. I feel that’s where he needs help and I feel the time is right for the State Government to step in, the resources from the AFL in Tasmania are dropping.
“The Tasmanian Government puts in a lot of money, around $8 million into the AFL industry, so the Tasmanian Government and the Tasmanian people deserve a return on that investment.”
Kennedy is fearful Gill will be left without enough staff to support all levels of competition, with cuts of 20 per cent to hit AFL Tasmania.
He said a solution could see the Government redirect some of its funding into creating a position who answers to both the Government and the AFL.
“When you have overworked staff, the first thing that disappears is the strategic side of it, it is the day to day operations that take priority,” Kennedy said.
“I think a positive step for the Tasmanian Government might be to invest some of that money into a CEO or whatever the title might be, who answers to both the Government and the AFL and looks over the more broader strategic side of things in Tasmanian footy.
“We need someone to come in who can say ‘what is best for
Tasmanian footy, where does the State Government’s investment need to go, where can the AFL’s investment go?’
“That can be the person who liaises with TSL clubs, liaises with local clubs and competitions and sets up a strategy that is best for Tasmanian footy.
“If we don’t have someone else who is looking at it from a Tasmanian perspective, Tasmanian footy will suffer.
“All that will get taken care of is the AFL’s priorities and what they see as important for their pathways in Tasmania.”