Press Release

 

18 November 2008

Cabinet Approves Tasmanian AFL Submission

The Minister for Sport and Recreation, Michelle O’Byrne, today announced that the Tasmanian Cabinet had approved the Tasmanian AFL Submission.

Ms O’Byrne said the submission was underpinned by a solid business case that showed Tasmania could sustain its own AFL team, in line with the AFL’s criteria for an AFL licence.

“This is an historic and exciting day for Tasmania and Tasmanian Football,” Ms O’Byrne said.

“We believe that Tasmania’s submission, prepared by Melbourne based sports consultancy Gemba, is built on solid numbers – membership, sponsorship, ground revenues and overall public and corporate support.

“The submission is extremely strong in terms of how Tasmania can deliver on the necessary criteria required for an AFL licence.

“This includes stadium economics, revenue and expenditure, sponsorship, membership of the Tasmanian Football Club and crowds at Aurora Stadium.

“However, it would not be appropriate to go into the detail of the submission before it goes to the AFL and then it will be a commercially confidential document for the AFL to consider.”

Ms O’Byrne said the submission was the first time the hard work had been done to examine the fundamental economics of a Tasmanian AFL team.

“For the first time, we are able to demonstrate to the AFL that Tasmania is ready.

“Through this submission, we are presenting the AFL with an opportunity to look at all the facts and figures, and see that Tasmania is ready to have its own AFL team when a licence is available.”

Ms O’Byrne said sponsorship support for a Tasmanian AFL team was already considerable.

“MARS has committed $4 million, MyState Financial $300,000 and TOTE Tasmania $500,000.

“And there is considerably more corporate interest being expressed both locally and interstate.”

Ms O’Byrne said it was hoped the submission would be presented to the AFL for consideration next month.

Ms O’Byrne also publicly thanked the members of the AFL bid steering committee for their hard work in overseeing the project and subjecting the business case to thorough scrutiny.

“Thanks to their efforts, we can be truly confident that we will be presenting the very best submission to the AFL for consideration.”

Further information:

Rohan Wade (03) 6336 2443 or 0417 051 255