The meeting comes directly after a gathering held at Rocherlea Football Club on Wednesday night, which was attended by representatives from a majority of NTFA clubs.

It is believed clubs are hoping to have the restructure pushed back another year as they look to meet the NTFA’s incoming minimum standard requirements.

NTFA president Paul Reynolds praised the presidents for getting on the front foot.

“I think it’s very positive,” Reynolds said.

“That’s what I would hope would happen and we’re more than happy to meet with them and talk them through any further concerns they have so I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all - I think communication is a good thing.”

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One of the most challenging requirements for clubs hoping to play in next year’s premier division is an NTJFA program or alignment, with Bracknell, Hillwood, Bridgenorth and Rocherlea among the division 1 clubs currently without a clear junior pathway.

Reynolds stressed the restructure had been devised to address growing player shortages, not to “stick it into a particular club”. 

“It was all about the fact we didn’t have the numbers to continually support our current structure,” he said.

“We’ve extrapolated figures out for the next five years by looking at the numbers in under-12s, under-14s, under-16s coming through to under-18s, so it’s not a knee-jerk reaction.

“And it’s not just that, we’ve also got 100-odd players that are playing two games every week just to make minimum numbers - clearly we don’t have the numbers now so delaying it a season may not give the clubs all that they hope for.

“The flexibility of the proposed structure allows teams to apply if their circumstances change and I think that’s probably the only area that’s been a bit lost on some of the clubs - it’s a not a fait accompli, it’s not final.

“If there’s overwhelming dissent saying ‘no’ then obviously we’ll look at that, but ultimately it’s the need that’s driving the restructure, it’s not (the NTFA).”

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