The new SFL boss to let clubs take lead
A new president and apparently some changes taking place in Southern Tasmanian Football according to this article in the mercury: SFL boss to let clubs take lead
The article states:
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The new president, Paul Harris MLC sees his role as more of a facilitator than anything else. – Will be interesting to see if this eventuates, will the clubs be given assistance in everyday running of a football club. i.e. financially, junior development.
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Paul Harris states: “There is no doubt the league is in a strong position, not only financially but supporter wise.” – well how about sharing this strength with all the clubs in the respective leagues by delegating money for the running of these clubs (budgeted evenly and distributed from the association). Ultimately it is the players and the people behind the scene’s at these clubs, who do the hard work every Saturday.
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“It is fundamental the league can provide whatever support and assistance it can,” Harriss said. “If there is the need for administrative or financial support, AFL Tasmania has got to work with the SFL to acknowledge the challenges clubs face”. – It seems to me that AFL Tasmania’s main focus is on the Devils and not on grass roots football. Can not have one without the other.
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Paul Harris states: “Any of us who have been involved in footy, whether an old TFL, Huon or Tasman club, we all know that a club playing football is good for a town or region.” – Yes but we’ve seen a lot of these town/region clubs disappear. Maybe if AFL Tasmania spent some of their wealth on local footy instead of the Devils and themselves we would still have these associations and clubs that are now extinct. A Young country footballers dream of one day playing AFL will never be realised, because they have no where to play.
The future of the Devils lies in grass roots footy clubs, and not in the recruitment of interstate players. This would drive membership and crowd attendances. A culture has to be created were every young footballer wants to play for the Devils.
