Peter Gutwein,Premier
In a massive coup for our football-loving State, the most successful AFL coach of the modern era, Alastair Clarkson, is officially joining the bid for a Tasmanian AFL team.
With a decision on our own licence to be made once and for all next year, the four-time premiership winning coach will be assisting the AFL Taskforce led by Brett Godfrey in our Tasmanian AFL licence working party process with the AFL.
There is no doubt that Tasmania deserves our own team, and securing the services of Alastair Clarkson is a significant boost that brings us another step closer to securing our own AFL licence.
Mr Clarkson will provide input on issues like funding, stadium and infrastructure, a State football pathway, and structure including talent identification and development pathways, as well as membership and private equity considerations.
Mr Clarkson will also use his existing knowledge, and his access to prime American sports teams, to provide a specification on what is required for a best-of-breed Training and High-Performance Centre.
And importantly, he will also provide input on the best way to engage with ex-Tasmanian AFL players, both here and interstate.
The initial engagement will be for a period of six months and will include specific interaction with Gillon McLachlan, the AFL Commission and the working party.
I look forward to welcoming "Clarko" and assisting him however possible as we continue to work through the matters raised in the Carter report ahead of a final position being put to club presidents for a decision on a Tasmanian AFL team next year.
