Launceston council has been called upon to quarantine surrounding parcels of UTAS Stadium land to benefit a possible future Tasmanian AFL team.
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North Launceston president Thane Brady believes that such action is necessary to prevent further university development to encroach around the Inveresk campus.
The old cycling track next to UTAS Stadium could provide a location for the Tasmania Devils ahead of their VFL entry to have a sufficient complex for player facilities and club administration.
"Introducing a Tasmanian VFL or AFL program into Launceston without addressing the current facility shortage will be a disaster for the sporting community," Brady said.
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He was concerned over the York Park site being landlocked akin to Bellerive Oval that would restrict further "cost effective development".
The land would include a retail front for merchandising, membership, game tickets and incorporating food and beverage areas under his plan based on AFL business model's best practice.
"If we are serious about Launceston increasing its ability to attract and cater for more AFL, elite cricket and other major sporting codes out of UTAS Stadium, areas around Invermay Park must also be set aside from any UTAS development," he said.
"All of these codes require preparation areas and such events should not result in community codes being kicked out."
Brady fingered inadequate high-performance training and rehabilitation facilities for AFL or VFL programs.
That extended to the UTAS sports precinct being unable to satisfy the programs of its existing stakeholders and balance the demands of catering for larger events such as the AFL and BBL.
"Gone are the days of cricket finishing then football starting," Brady said.
"The complexities in sharing grounds between the codes increases yearly with no confirmed support or assistance to remedy this situation that is preventing locals from exercising and enjoying team environments."
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Brady had stood for council on a ticket to improve sports facilities, but narrowly missed out being elected.
North Launceston stage their State League home games at UTAS Stadium, but have been impacted multiple times on ground use. That includes the current resurfacing which will ensure the reigning premiers cannot host this year's grand final.
"If Tasmania wants to be successful at VFL, then AFL level there is no point in simply focusing on the match day facility," he said.
"The current master plan for the UTAS area lacks the vision to adequately satisfy the professional requirements to successfully run such high-performance programs and fails to allow any facility growth for current community stakeholders."
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Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
