2012 Presidents Report Change is inevitable. This is one thing that has been reinforced over my four years as president of the NTFL, another is that there are two ways deal with change: React after it has happened or be ahead of the game and make changes that suit your circumstance. The NTFL and its Executive are supportive of the latter and with this in mind have continued discussions with AFL Tas. as to where football will be in 10 or more years time. We are not into change for the sake of it but with the changing face of our community we want to think about what needs to be done to keep providing the public with what they want. A major advantage of our six team competition is the lack of travel and a roster that allowed all clubs 9 home and away games with the spread of games allowing for one game in each region each weekend. This year attendance figures were up again, proving that we are providing a product the public want. Football does not have to be played at 2pm on a Saturday there are other options and clubs will be encouraged to look at these options in coming seasons. On field success for the six team format has been evident right from the start four years ago and the subsequent years have provided five of our six clubs the chance to play in a senior grand final. The NTFL continued to operate out of the Ulverstone headquarters of AFL Tas. with Ian Wotherspoon mentoring Vicki Slater in the running of our competition. Vicki has proved to be more than capable and has now assumed control. I would like to thank Ian for his many years of great service to the NTFL on behalf of everyone that has been involved over the competition’s history. Our policy of sharing the season’s launch saw us all heading west to Smithton to be greeted by an outstanding facility and host. It was great to see so many of our sponsors travel and enjoy a great night that was also well supported by all clubs. Club Ambassadors were introduced as were senior coaches who gave an insight into what we could expect over the coming season. Interest in the season started as soon as the last one finished. Wynyard being considered a great threat to Latrobes chance of winning three in a row. Penguin had recruited well after falling only four points short on grand final day, East Devonport also recruited well and no one could dismiss either Smithton or Ulverstone. The season unfolded as predicted with Latrobe, Wynyard and Penguin and East Devonport participating in the finals. Finals games were less predictable with all sides given a chance to progress through to the grand final. Latrobe was first through beating Wynyard by five points while Penguin accounted for East Devonport to progress to the pre-final. A very windy pre-final day saw Wynyard over run a gallant Penguin to get a second shot at Latrobe. Congratulations to the three premier teams, Wynyard, their first senior NTFL premiership, Latrobe who backed up in the Reserves and Wynyard also taking out the Under 19’s. Having disposed of the NTFA last season the NTFL representative side took on the SFL in what would decide the premier regional competition in the state. The NTFL got off to a great start and held off a late charge from the South to record a 24 point victory. Unfortunately the SFL were unable to field an Under 19 side and we thank the NWJFL for providing a very interesting Under 17 curtain raiser. We will host the state Under 23 team next year and they have defeated representative sides from both the NTFA and the SFL over the last couple of years so it should be a good test of our strength. The Mead Con Darrel Baldock Medal and Ambassador Quest function was again held at the Burnie Arts and Festival Centre and proved to be a great success with over 240 people in attendance. A red carpet competition complete with photos was conducted for the first time and was a highlight of the event. Invites were sent to the top ten vote getters and all were in attendance making for an interesting count. All Ambassadors represented their clubs with distinction and to hear how involved in their clubs they had become and the work they performed was outstanding. The selection of the winner and runner up’s proved extremely difficult and thanks goes to Giovana, Natalie, Vonette and Vicki for their work as judges. Congratulations to all award winners, who have been listed elsewhere in this report. To maintain the professionalism that is synonymous with the NTFL, much hard work by many people is required and I would like to thank them all for their efforts. A special thanks to all Executive members for their many hours of work. The NTFL would like to express its appreciation to all our generous sponsors for the wonderful support they have given the NTFL. WHK signed on for three years as our naming rights sponsor at the start of the season and we are hopeful that all other sponsors (as listed on the inside cover) will continue on in 2013. The NWUA has again been totally responsible for providing umpires for our competition and has provided very professional and reliable teams of umpires throughout the year and been able to introduce young umpires with considerable success. The media support of the NTFL has been outstanding with all major events and award functions being extremely well covered. The extensive weekly coverage of a very interesting competition is enjoyed by all members of the public. The Advocate continued the hugely popular “blog” of both the Darrel Baldock Medal count and the Grand Final with a considerable increase in participation experienced. The Tribunal and Appeals Committees have had a relatively light year with few reports or issues during the season. Thank you to the members of both panels for their assistance during the season. The Tasmanian Football Council and AFL Tas. continue to working together on a Heads of Agreement and a plan for football beneath the State League. These will allow the TFC to be involved in the development of the game in partnership with AFL Tas. Our inability to unite has cost us funding opportunities from Hawthorn and the AFL and it is essential that we start to work as a team to provide leadership for community football. Community football is still strong in Tasmania and will continue to provide the opportunity for players to participate week in week out. The NTFL has provided ten players the opportunity to represent their state in the Australian Amateur Football Council Under 23 series against South Australia. I would encourage everyone to stay aboard for the ride as the NTFL, as a member of the TFC, continues to develop and expand the opportunities for its member clubs and players. Andrew Richardson President
Last Modified on 09/02/2013 11:20