Prospect Hawks have become the lastest outfit to join an ever-growing list of Tasmanian football clubs to fade into oblivion.
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The embattled senior club will take no part in the Northern Tasmanian Football Association’s division 2 roster next season, after it failed to prove its viability moving forward.
It was reported this month that the Hawks’ future was under serious scrutiny, with NTFA president Paul Reynolds confirming on Tuesday that they were unable to provide enough financial, player and governance assurances to warrant a licence in 2018.
The NTFA and Hawks president Michael Hazelman met last Thursday following a thorough process, however, club members were informed at a special general meeting on Monday night.
“This honest and frank admission was made after a thorough assessment of the playing list, the process of administration in place, the financial position and the potential for future earnings of the club,” Reynolds said.
“This situation was made more difficult when the Prospect Hawks Junior Football Club indicated they would provide no further financial assistance or administrative management to the senior body.”
A decision Hazelman, who assumed his position in October, said was “the nail in the coffin” for his club.
Hazelman said his committee would meet again soon to consider its options, however, entering recess for 2018 or dissolving were the most likely outcomes.
“It’s disappointing considering the hard work the new committee and I have put in… the club was not in the position we were led to believe at the AGM,” he said.
“It’s disappointing that individuals that were involved in establishing the club as a pathway for juniors, were the ones that helped with its demise.”
It is understood the Hawks were unable to meet committed match and coaching payments to the tune of several thousands of dollars from last season.
Reynolds said this situation should remind other clubs to have sufficient checks and balances in place and that a bye would be included in next year’s competition. He also ruled out reviewing the NTFA council’s decision to reject an application from Winnaleah to join the association from the defunct North East Football Union.
“Clubs from time-to-time see an opportunity to try and make some quick wind by throwing large sums of money and it’s a short-term solution but not always for success,” Reynolds said.
“The Winnaleah application was assessed on it merits and it’s been dealt with as per 2018… there will definitely be a bye.”
The senior Prospect club was founded as the Prospect Sharks in 2009 following on from the success of the junior club and switched to the Hawks tag two years later.
It was accepted into the NTFA division 2 competition in 2011 following an agreement between then State League club South Launceston as South-Prospect Hawks. That partnership ceased in 2013 after the Bulldogs’ TSL licence was not renewed, leaving the Prospect Hawks on their lonesome.
In 2016, the failed TSL club Western Storm was re-branded Prospect Hawks whereby the club fielded a development league team for just one season.
The junior club is believed to be in negotiations with St Pats to form an alliance.