The NTFA announced plans last month to move from a two-tier competition to a three-tier model in 2019 consisting of a premier league, division 1 and division 2.

Nine clubs currently play in the first division, however NTFA president Paul Reynolds said declining numbers at junior level meant it was likely only six clubs would be able to fulfil the premier division requirement of a 30-player under-18s team.   

“The sad reality is that we will only have enough for six under-18 teams next year,” Reynolds said.

“So that probably sets its own standard in the number of premier division teams we have, the reason we have to keep that link is because we have to provide those kids with a pathway to our top competition.

“That’s not the only criteria on which we’ll be assessing, it’ll involve governance, demonstrated financial stability and demonstrated player number stability, facilities and the location - because we are conscious that we don’t want to have too many clubs from the same area vying for the same people.”

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The NTFA has been visiting its clubs in recent weeks to discuss the restructure and outline the requirements for each division.

Reynolds said the NTFA had not yet decided which clubs would compete in which divisions.  

“Realistically no we haven’t, because we don’t know all the positions of the clubs in relation to their corporate compliance and responsibilities in terms of their financial sustainability.

“There’s been a lot of speculation about it and a lot of the clubs are looking at the under-18 component of it and their capacity to field an under-18 team.

“What I do know is they are all taking a hard look at what they can and can’t do going forward.”

The fate of the TSL and its two powerhouse Northern clubs Launceston and North Launceston is likely to be known at the end of this month when the Tasmanian football steering committee delivers its verdict. 

Reynolds said the NTFA restructure had been designed to best suit the league’s clubs as they stand but could adapt to cater for the two TSL clubs as well.

“If anything happened in terms of statewide and we were approached by the two statewide clubs and they could demonstrate their capacity to meet the standards then we would consider that.

“They have their own under-18s so that would bring another two under-18 teams back into the region so that’s a consideration.”