A STATE league and a weekend fixture are next on the agenda as Tasmania seeks to build on its inaugural A-League fixture.
Competition head Lyall Gorman has been at pains to point out that the success of Wednesday's 1-1 draw between Melbourne Victory and Gold Coast United at Aurora Stadium should not be measured purely on the 5268 attendance.
He said the historic event - the fifth of the league's regional fixtures this season - marked the beginning of a long-term commitment that would benefit from lessons learned this week.
``We are always learning,'' Gorman said the morning after the match.
``Maybe a Wednesday night is a little bit harder in this market and we were head-to-head with a cricket international on TV.
``If we avoid these things and put it on a weekend when people's time is more available it makes sense and we'll look at that in the future.
``Also, if we tie it in with other events in Tasmania we can hope to attract more visitors from the mainland and elsewhere in Tasmania.''
As the sport's hierarchy both in the state and nationally reflected on the match, both agreed that launching a statewide competition along the lines of AFL Tasmania's was pivotal to the future of the round-ball code.
``We need a strong and vibrant state league to underpin the future and the support is growing here,'' said Gorman, who spent time with Premier Lara Giddings and Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten on Wednesday and praised the partnership approach of Football Federation Australia, Football Federation Tasmania, Melbourne Victory and Launceston City Council.
FFT chief executive John Boulous agreed.
``Football in Tasmania is the sleeping giant,'' he said.
``Tasmanians are proud and passionate football fans and we'll work to bring even more A-League to Tasmania.''
Referring to the 13,000 Tasmanians who play the sport, Boulous added: ``In 2013, Football Federation Tasmania is on track to launch the T-League, a new statewide football competition featuring the best clubs across the state.
``The T-League will be an elite competition featuring the very best Tasmanian footballers. This year we'll be busy working with clubs and supporters to make the T-League the best it can be.''
Boulous was delighted to hear Victory managing director Richard Wilson commit to return to Launceston next season with a view to continuing the arrangement for at least five years.
``The strong community support means we can look to secure more A-League games in future seasons,'' he said.
``Melbourne Victory are Australia's most successful and popular club. Having them on board for at least another year means more high-quality football.''
Both Victory and United coaches joined the chorus of support.
Gold Coast's Miron Bleiberg said: ``I thought it was a good crowd and they got value for money. For us it was double the crowd we get at home.''
Meanwhile, Victory's Jim Magilton, whose side was denied a win by an injury time equaliser, added: ``It was a tremendous experience and we all loved it. We could not have been treated any better.
``The pitch was magnificent and we gave an entertaining showing, although I wish there had been a little less entertainment at the end there. Keep producing pitches like that and we'll definitely keep coming back.''
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