February 15, 2007
V-League
I draw your attention to a new proposal for the Victorian Football League.
Rather than open any discussion on who should play in any Tassie squad, I ask you to read this document Application Criteria and then judge if Tasmania can meet the requirements set out.
Is it a realistic goal for Tasmanian football to aim at (as a State) or should it be a Hobart (Sthn Tas.) initiative?
Can we afford to be involved in such a venture? Can we afford NOT to be involved in such a venture?
Fantastic opportunity, but surely we need to get it right here first before testing the waters by entering a team in the V-league….? An alliance with a V-Team could be a better starting avenue, as it will allow players to still see a pathway through to the V-league and allow FFT to get it’s house in order first…!
Comment by Observer — February 15, 2007 @ 11:27 am
i agree with the observer, we should form an alliance with a vpl club so that the young kids have sumwhere to go and trial if they want to try and go to the next level and in return try and get a game over here im sure it wouldnt be that hard to work out
Comment by trev — February 15, 2007 @ 12:33 pm
Don’t wait, just do it! If you wait for a better time, that may never come, and if it does then there may be no openings available. If we can get the financial side on track, then I say GO FOR IT. Can only benefit Tas Football and the pathway for our juniors.
Have it’s base 100% in Hobart, let Launceston keep their AFL and we’ll have the WORLD GAME.
Comment by DeB8 — February 15, 2007 @ 6:12 pm
I have to say to Trev and his mate observer we have been trying for the last 20 years to get it right here , don’t rock the boat attitude hasn’t worked !!
It is the major reason we shall always be a non threat to the AFL and cricket in Tasmania - lets keep it in the backyard - why do we want to be part of a Victorian or Australian competition !!
They ( AFL and Cricket ) must love us , here we are riding on a crest of a popularity wave - through World Cup - A. League and soon Asian championships and the first two writers lets form alliances with a V. League club - don’t enter a team - no we need another xxx years to get it right !!!!!
As a father of a local league player who maybe able with the right challenges - development - coaching play at a higher level than local premier league i would love to see him do it in Tasmania not have to go to Victoria without family and friends support to try and get a look in..
I cdon’t know the ins and outs of how it works or what it would cost or even if it is a pipedream - but go and ask the kids were and who they would like to play for!!! Tas or Vic team…
Comment by sent off — February 15, 2007 @ 10:55 pm
this concept has been about publicly for some months and no doubt the FFT Board are already considering the possibilities, but, as is demonstrated by the need for FFV to extend the application period, there are many multi-faceted aspects and ramifications to consider. Not the least of these is the financial aspect. We find it difficult to find a naming rights sponsor for the Southern Premier League let alone a VPL team.
Comment by sj — February 15, 2007 @ 11:03 pm
SJ…yes, it has been about for a couple of months (December 2006). Are FFT going to speak to anyone about it?? Put it to the clubs? Release a discussion paper? As it’s been a couple of months I think the footballing public deserve to have some input even at this early stage. Someone may even have some reasonable ideas on the financial aspects.
New concepts usually do have many multifaceted aspects and ramifications to consider and no doubt the clubs will be informed when FFT see fit but as the clubs would be the major stakeholders in any bid I don’t think it would be unreasonable to have them on the groundfloor of any discussion or planning.
Comment by Blackjack — February 15, 2007 @ 11:41 pm
yeh maybe people would rather play in tassie than victoria but if tassie can not get there own team in the leauge the next best thing would be to link up with a club over there, another thing is the vic premier leauge is a lot higher standard than the tasmanian leauges so would there be enough quality players to be competitive in the leauge? look at most the players who have trialled this season on the mainland, all aparently the better players in the state and all are back in tassie beacuase they were not good enough to make it
Comment by trev — February 16, 2007 @ 12:08 am
Here we go again , look at the negatives not the positives, the easy way out -.
To expensive - no sponsors - players not good enough etc… i say look outside the bubble , think lateral.
Blackjack has identified a number of issues which could be addressed , by people who have experience in putting together discussion papers and possible costings - i do not know what type of experience the directors or staff have in this type of exercise , but in club land and government circles i am sure a focus group could be appointed and provide a discussion paper for interested parties .
SJ not sure what you do but just because the local league doesn’t have a sponsor - (one would have to ask why though) it doesn’t mean that a team in a competition with marketing opportunities outside of Hobart would not get one !!
I would think that it is not the role of FFT to enter teams into competitions outside its own federation - they wouldn’t - shouldn’t want to be taking a financial risk with the members money .
If a club or a consortium of clubs which to go that way - then why not.
Oh and trev the guys are good enough to make it - just need the opportunity - sure their may well have to be the import of a number of players ( as with the devils and tigers ) blend those players in with the locals and see what a difference it will make.
Comment by sent off — February 16, 2007 @ 7:47 am
There is no way we are even close to being ready to join the V-League, one we don’t even come close to having the right players with the ability. I find it hard to believe that some of the above comments say go ahead with it……….. surely when you sit back and think about it you can see that we do not have the infrastructure, finance or a well functioning soccer body down here, if we entered it would fail so quickly. You only have to turn up to any premier league game (I do as a player every week) and one you pay to enter an away ground……pay to enter to play at the highest level in tassie…JOKE, two the facilties at the grounds are below standards (in most cases) three the refereeing is very poor, line normally run by a 12 year old (joke, no offence to the young kids having a go, which is fantastic)…..!!!!! They are just a few examples of the poor standard FFT produce on game day (at premier league) and people think we are ready for V-League….I do laugh…so would they!! Instead, get it right here first, FFT have huge amounts of work to do and money should be spent on fixing it here with the long term vision/goel etc of entering the V-League or other.
Comment by Observer — February 16, 2007 @ 8:19 am
I’m with Sent Off, lets look at the positives. It’s a great opportunity for Tasmanian Football. Nobody thinks it’s going to be easy, but whoever takes on the task, whether it’s FFT or a Private consortium should look at the Hobart Chargers Basketball as a model. They’ve been around for more than a decade in a 2nd Tier Mainland Competition, so it shows that a “minor” sport in Tasmania can survive in a mainland Competition. I’m sure that they haven’t found it easy either. As for sponsorship, I would think that there is mire appeal to a potential sponsor for a Tasmanian Team playing in the Victorian Marketplace, than being the naming sponsor of the Southern Premier League. This team would become the focus of Football in Tasmania which would also get frequent exposure in the Mercury (i Know, I could be dreaming about that issue! LOL)
Comment by DeB8 — February 16, 2007 @ 10:13 am
So let’s all sit on our hands and think about how we can make it all right and then before we know it opportunity will pass us by and we’ll all be looking at each other and wondering what went wrong. We’ll then turn on each other and point fingers and blame each other.
I’ve been involved with soccer for over 20 years and I’m still waiting for everything to be right. Nothing has ever been gained without taking a risk Observer.
At this stage the V League won’t kick off before 2009. Tasmania has some good players kicking around both here and in Victoria. Harbinson, Sanders & Sherman are all VPL first team regulars. Pitchford, Ladic, Sanita have all been accepted by VPL teams or at least identified as good prospects for the next 12-24 months. There is a good start for a new team. As long as a consortium of clubs agreed to become the feeder clubs then there is a good supply of talented yuongsters coming through & believe me every kid in any State team woiuld kill to get themsleves on that team.
Sponsorship is the big hurdle but in the right hands you never know unless you give it a shot. Spectator facilities would be the big downfall and don’t ANYONE raise the possibility of York Park as a suitable venue because it isn’t. KGV playign surface may be suitable but the stand isn’t.
Nothing ventured, NOTHING gained.
Comment by Roundball Specialist — February 16, 2007 @ 10:58 am
You have to take calculated risks…..!!! The fact that you mention you have been involved for 20 years and seen no progress, you should be asking the question why???? Don’t get me wrong I agree totally with you and think this is a great opportunity but it needs to be done the right way and driven by FFT. My argument is get FFT right first, get the right poeple out there in the FFT office and on the FFT Board. Get the people that can make change have the vision and most importantly have the business skills and the ability. 2009 is a feasible target but I am arguing get it right here first and have it driven by FFT and it will be more successful!!!!!
Comment by Observer — February 16, 2007 @ 11:35 am
If FFT would use even a tiny slice of the $800,000 it’s been given to get the ball rolling at least would be a start, then with proper coaching and experinced support staff the players here would be able to step up to that level and be competitve and the players on the mainland like harbo, and sanders who are playing regualry in the Vic league(sherman hasn’t started a game yet has he? Not sure were you got that from mr. roundball? Is any of your info correct? lol :-)) with the other young and older tanlent here could surely compete in a few years time. get them together as a squad and work them together so they can gel and maybe we could take a positive step. But it’s all down to the FFT to lift there game!
Comment by Offside Trap — February 16, 2007 @ 11:35 am
A calculated risk huh! We have to do it the right way huh! You mean we can’t just jump in blindly? D’oh. What do you think I’m suggesting Observer? Let’s do it in the most negligent way possible?
Seriously, I would suggest it shouldn’t be an FFT driven project. Far better to have a consortium of clubs as very few clubs would have the manpower to do it solo, and have FFT support.
I’m sure a George Mamarcus or similar footballing philanthopist could be enticed to contribute a $ or two.
Comment by Roundball Specialist — February 16, 2007 @ 12:52 pm
Post deleted - content not relevent to the discussion
Let’s stick to the topic people. The discussion is on the possibility of getting a Tassie team into the V-League
Blackjack
Comment by Roundball Specialist — February 16, 2007 @ 12:58 pm
i seem to remember about two years ago there was a group of like minded indivuals prepared to back a tassie team, for an interstate comp, however due to some issue raised by soccer tas at the time it didn’t happen perhaps these people are still out there and now is the time (tongue in cheek) who knows
Comment by mt — February 16, 2007 @ 5:45 pm
Rumour is that, this was one of the reasons smithy got out !!!
Comment by sent off — February 16, 2007 @ 8:54 pm
MT I do not beleive that Soccer Tas as it was then were responsible for the ” NON EVENT’.
Anecdotal evidence ( I was not on the Board) indicated to me that the independents went on a frolic of their own .
For their project to succeed they needed endorsement by ST . The neccessary data to secure the endorsemnt was never forthcoming.
You can’t blame Soccer House for everything .
Appropos Smithy’s departure I am unable nor in any event would comment.
Comment by Brian — February 17, 2007 @ 2:40 pm
I did make my comment with tongue in cheek, however my main intent was that if tassie were to enter a team into the v league does the “club” need to be FFT initiated or are there perhaps peoples out there with the right experience/knowledge to get it off the ground.
Perhapsit a naive question but has anyone actually sat down and worked out what it would take to do this.
Comment by mt — February 17, 2007 @ 6:48 pm
mt read the criteria that way you won’t seem so “naive”!!
But to answer your question, any venture MUST have endorsement from the governing state body.
Comment by Blackjack — February 17, 2007 @ 9:14 pm
Very true blackjack and should be driven by them too!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Observer — February 19, 2007 @ 8:47 am
With the pre season starting this week and all and sundry trying to get players signed - money off the players - feel like a bloody debt collector !!! filling in forms - photo’s and such .
Guess the V League will drop out of the vision of most and as with a lot of things slip off the radar unless , the blog and club drive it !
It is unfortunate that FFT don’t appear to want to get involved but that again is their choice !
Is their enough football people with business acruman willing to go down the line as per the criteria requirements and work out if it is a viable option for example a conglomerate of clubs to put together a bid for a position. That is of course if FFT will support such an endeavour?
Comment by sent off — February 22, 2007 @ 9:48 am
sent off - If a group odf people - club based or otherwise were to put forwars a SUSTAINABLE case for a V-League team then of course FFT would support it. If you were of aware of the strategic plan (2004) it included as an aim the entry of a tasmanian tean into the then National Youth League. The FFT Board I am sure would endorse any SUSTAINABLE case for entry of a Tasmanian based team into any mainland league.
Comment by sj — February 22, 2007 @ 11:30 pm
SJ , i realise that you have some form of inside information or are an actual board or staff member, but don’t try and sell the rest of the world short ! FFT - Soccer Tas - Tas Soccer Federation - regardless of what you call them have never had the balls to go “outside their own domain “.
You may think we are stupid but trying to convince us that they would support anything for a senior team , you have to be joking !, as for the strategic plan - great for getting money out of government but most use as door stoppers , the best thing about ours is the majority of the kids in the pics are no longer playing!!!!!!
Do not treat us as idiots —-
Comment by sent off — February 23, 2007 @ 9:08 pm
Let me see - from the picture on pg 5- Hughes, Kaden, Buxton Xepapas,Longo?, Pitchford, Fagg,Crosswell, Hill, Sherman - I would say the majority are still playing!!! And I doubt that FFV or FFA would accept a proposal that did not have the support of FFT.
Comment by sj — February 24, 2007 @ 9:55 am