Tasmania's historic task-force formed in an attempt to tick the AFL's boxes and form a sustainable business plan have met for the first time and set the ground work for the state's AFL bid.
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Describing the inaugural meeting as a "score settler", leader of the momentous project team and founding Virgin Australia executive, Brett Godfrey said Friday's meeting was the very first step.
"It was day one. It was the first time most of us had met face-to-face and it was a matter of understanding terms of references. We allocated responsibilities and people to meet and talk to," he said.
With the meeting too early for Godfrey and his team of business and football professionals to set short term goals, the long term goal of creating a sustainable AFL future was obviously a hot topic between the crew.
"We didn't want to set anything in stone but we did agree that we need to be match fit and AFL-ready to meet their criteria.
"The simple objective is not just gaining the AFL license but growing grassroots football and its pathway while maintaining the sustainability of the side."
Featuring Errol Stewart, Grant O'Brien, Julie Kay, Paul Eriksson and James Henderson, the task-force and Godfrey credited Tasmania's strong football past and acknowledged last year's AFL steering committee success that brought the Tasmania Devils program back to life.
"Tasmania, per capita, is more engaged with AFL than any other state and we have to take advantage of that. It started last year with the steering committee and we have to stop degradation which will be good for both the AFL and Tasmania.
"Every single person on the committee is donating their time and is passionate about the project.
"I have no doubt that in six months time there will be no nod from the AFL saying 'see you next season' with the TV rights and business structures that are in place and we are unsure of the criteria required so we will need to meet with the AFL to discuss what those are."
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In addition to meeting with the AFL, the team will work with government, the Football Tasmania board and the local football community to formulate the plan.
Prior to the first official meeting being recorded for the project team, Premier Will Hodgman, opposition leader Rebecca White and Greens leader Cassy O'Connor showed a united front on the AFL issue with Hodgman acknowledging the ticking of the AFL's box.
"We are demonstrating today that we are very much unified on the political front," Hodgman said.
"There is some things that will divide us, but one thing that brings us together is a team of our own.
"While there will always be matters in which we disagree, there will be some detail we aren't in agreement on, when it comes to mapping out the pathway for a team of our own we are entirely unified and that sends a very strong message to the AFL and the football community that we are joining together as a Tassie team, putting aside our political difference to give this extraordinary opportunity our best shot."
With the three political heavyweights showing a rare moment of solidarity, opposition leader Rebecca White said the meeting today was an opportunity to work together on an important issue.
"Tasmania has a very strong sporting culture and our love of footy is well known and it is terrific to be able to join today with the premier, the task-force and the leader of the Greens to show our united position when it comes to securing a footy team for Tasmania," White said.
With $150,000 put in the state budget for the task-force, the government has been key in the process.