Tasmanian soccer has been given renewed hope by the release of Football Australia's white paper. That's the cool verdict of Football Tasmania boss Matt Bulkeley after the latest annoucement of plans to start up a national second division for the 2021-22 season. "Our views is that we are certainly very positive about a second division if it provides opportunity for Tasmanians - whether they be players, coaches or referees and fill a gap," Bulkeley said. "At the moment, there's NPL Tasmania and WSL and there's a leap into the A-League and the W-League." Tasmania bid for one of two licences to join the A-League, but the state push failed to make the shortlist. The National Second Division Working Group will consider what key principles should underpin any sort of second-tier competition in the country that could assist sides into the A-League. But Bulkeley was more brazen about where he feels Tasmanian soccer lies. "I would make the point that we're very keen and focused on securing an A-League team in Tasmania because our position remains we don't think it's a national competition without a Tasmanian team," he said. "So we are still working hard on that, but I imagine this would also provide that opportunity as well. "I'd imagine that promotion and relegation would be a little bit down the track for this concept, but certainly it would at least provide a Tasmanian presence in a second division. "Subject to the model they want, whether that's an existing club in Tassie or a new entity it remains to be seen." Bulkeley said he would welcome input from the state's clubs how it would work best and expects there to be "significant interest from within Tasmania". South Hobart have indicated their interest to represent a Tasmanian bid. Bid spokesperson Victoria Morton, who also stands as the vice chairperson Association of Australian Football Clubs, said the club was "still very ambitious". "But to be honest, I don't know what it's going to look like," Morton said. "There has been talk generally whether to have new franchises and/or old clubs like ours. "So I would have to speak to my [club] board to see what they think along those lines and we'll speak to our federation as well."
"Our views is that we are certainly very positive about a second division if it provides opportunity for Tasmanians - whether they be players, coaches or referees and fill a gap," Bulkeley said.
"At the moment, there's NPL Tasmania and WSL and there's a leap into the A-League and the W-League."
The National Second Division Working Group will consider what key principles should underpin any sort of second-tier competition in the country that could assist sides into the A-League.
"I would make the point that we're very keen and focused on securing an A-League team in Tasmania because our position remains we don't think it's a national competition without a Tasmanian team," he said.
"So we are still working hard on that, but I imagine this would also provide that opportunity as well.
THOUGHTS: Football Tasmania chief executive Matt Bulkeley.
"I'd imagine that promotion and relegation would be a little bit down the track for this concept, but certainly it would at least provide a Tasmanian presence in a second division.
"Subject to the model they want, whether that's an existing club in Tassie or a new entity it remains to be seen."
Bulkeley said he would welcome input from the state's clubs how it would work best and expects there to be "significant interest from within Tasmania".
South Hobart have indicated their interest to represent a Tasmanian bid.
