Creating
a league that engages communities in Queensland, NT, NSW and ACT in an
interstate competition that also incorporates the second tier teams of
the four AFL clubs in NSW and Queensland.
Introduction
The
AFL's footprint in NSW, ACT, Queensland and NT continues to expand
rapidly. The introduction of the North East Australian Football League
(NEAFL) will further stimulate this growth
From 2005 to 2009 in NSW/ACT, Queensland and the NT:
- Participation* grew by nearly 80 per cent from 139,049 to 249,424
- NAB AFL Auskick grew by 33 per cent from 55,099 to 73,263
- The number of community clubs increased from 562 to 616 (54 new clubs)
- The Gold Coast Suns and Team GWS will enter the national AFL competition in 2011 and 2012 repsectively.
The NEAFL will further improve second Tier football in Queensland, NT,
NSW, ACT and compliment the AFL's 'grow the game' development efforts
in these key growth markets.
The
concept of a NEAFL is completely consistent with current AFL endeavours
to develop more aggressive and innovative talent pathway solutions in
NSW and Queensland. In addition, this league will:
- Enhance
the talented player pathway in NSW, ACT, Qld and the NT by providing a
higher standard of football below the AFL and establishing a better
'stay at home' opportunity for talented athletes to consider.
- Provide a high standard of localised football for the four AFL clubs to develop their listed players.
- Integrate
with and build upon the recent introduction of the four AFL club
academies in these highly competitive markets to increase share.
- Establish
a high quality second tier football competition to send a message that
this level of competition is not only available in the southern or
traditional football states.
- Develop a strong promotional
vehicle that becomes the pinnacle the talent pathway below the AFL and
support the development of the grassroots game in these priority growth
markets.
- Create a new commercial and media property for corporate, government and broadcast partners to consider.
- Leverage
off the existing resources, management and economy of the competitions
and clubs involved to continue to carry the competition and ultimately,
help fund the initiative from existing football budgets.
- Improve
the reach &and expand the AFL footprint in these regions and, in
time, become a competition more commensurate with the standard and
standing of the VFL, SANFL and the WAFL.
Structure
The
NEAFL will comprise of a Northern conference that will encapsulate
Queensland and NT clubs and an Eastern conference that will consist of
NSW and ACT clubs:
Eastern Conference |
Northern Conference |
Five Canberra teams:
Ainslie
Belconnen
Eastlake
Queanbeyan
Tuggeranong |
Four Brisbane teams:
Aspley
Morningside
Mt Gravatt
Redland |
Three Gold Coast teams:
Broadbeach
Labrador
Southport |
One NT team:
NT Thunder
|
Along with the 2nd tier teams of AFL clubs: |
Sydney Swans
GWS |
Brisbane Lions
Gold Coast Suns |
Cross-conference
For
most of the season NEAFL clubs will play within their respective
conferences, in addition there will be a number of opportunities
through the year for clubs to play cross conference games:
Benefits
- Cross conference games will provide opportunities for state league clubs to play games interstate:
- ACT, NT, Sydney & Queensland teams will play interstate games
- The current experience of NT Thunder playing games in Queensland and vice versa will continue
- As the NEAFL develops, the number of cross conference interstate games can increase
- The NEAFL Grand Final will be an additional opportunity for an interstate game:
- Each
conference will stage a Grand Final to decide the Conference Premiers
(playing for traditional Queensland & ACT trophies)
- The two Conference Premiers will play off in the overall NEAFL Grand Final to decide the NEAFL Premiers
- Increased AFL club involvement in each market will provide a significant increase in exposure:
- AFL clubs will play each other seven times during the season (five times in their own state & two games interstate)
- Results in an increased number of games in which AFL teams will be able to play without any on-field player restrictions
- Will provide benefits, greater awareness and exposure for all stakeholders including:
- The participating clubs, their sponsors and their corporate partners
- The players with ambitions to progress to the AFL competition or simply play the best standard of football they can
- The
additional AFL and third party investment in each region in terms of
resources, infrastructure and match day operational expenses:
- Will provide increased investment in these regions to supplement the significant football economy that already exists
- Supports the current AFL strategy to enhance the national footprint in these important developing markets
- Presents a more attractive and diverse partnership/sponsorship property on which the overall competition could capitalise
- May develop a broadcast outcome in the future