AFL TASMANIA has come in for some stinging criticism following the revelation that Western Storm will be rebranded for next season.
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Amid rumours of financial trouble and a possible folding, Storm president Michelle Strickland announced a new governance model but North Launceston president Thane Brady said the club’s problems stemmed directly from AFL Tasmania’s chief executive.
‘‘Scott Wade put these people in a leaking boat with one oar and pushed them into a perfect storm,’’ Brady said.
‘‘We are on record predicting this outcome during talks about its inception two years ago and we and others advised Scott Wade against it.
‘‘The finances didn’t stack up, in fact our view at the time was the budget presented by Scott Wade at an AFL Tasmania board meeting with all club presidents was ludicrous.’’
Rebranding itself as the Hawks, Storm’s new model aims to establish closer ties with the club’s owners, the Prospect senior and junior Hawks.
Brady, whose club shares use of Aurora Stadium with Storm, said his comments were not a reflection on the hard-working volunteers who stepped up to try to make the club work, but a criticism of its structure.
He said changing to a different jumper would not solve Storm’s problems and pointed to the subsequent success of South Launceston which has now become the dominant club in the NTFA.
‘‘Perhaps Scott Wade should finally acknowledge he made a terrible mistake and go cap in hand back to South Launceston with an offer of a TSL licence?
‘‘We said our home gate revenue would suffer and it has. Storm games bring in a third of what South Launceston games did.
‘‘They were to play all games outside of their community at a facility that requires above average crowds to make a dollar.
‘‘The club was to somehow deal with inadequate training and social facilities and play at times at distant venues that clashed with the clubs that owned them – what chance did they have to draw a crowd?’’
AFL Tasmania said it supported the Storm revising its brand and governance model.
‘‘AFL Tasmania hopes the three separate entities can establish a clear player pathway and cement the club’s long-term future in both the TSL and community football in the Northern region,’’ it said.