Tasmanian Football Futures Project reviews state of the the game

AFL Tasmania says the project will "develop a long-term vision for all levels of community and pathway football across the state", with feedback to be sought from all levels of the game to "determine what we need to focus on to drive prosperity and growth across all levels of the game in Tasmania".

The governing body has promised it will be "an in-depth consultation process and situational analysis of the structure at all levels of Tasmanian football".

The announcement comes with player number woes again impacting the game statewide, with NWFA club Rosebery-Toorak's seniors side suffering a 443-point loss last week after at least 15 players had to double up.

Days later, East Ulverstone again put out a call for players ahead of this weekend's clash against Sheffield.

This year has also seen the NWFL lose East Devonport after the Swans put their senior program into recess, making the NWFL a six-team competition after Circular Head Giants shut their doors in 2019.

Up North, the NTFA has lost Fingal and Tamar Cats in the past six years, while adding NEFU sides East Coast and Bridport to its ranks.

Several others, including premier division sides, have struggled for numbers in recent years while NEFU entities Winnaleah, Branxholm and Scottsdale have all fallen by the wayside.

"Following 2020, the focus for AFL Tasmania has been on getting football back,'' Head of AFL Tasmania Damian Gill said on Thursday.

"Everyone across Tasmanian football has come together to get our game going again, and now it is time to turn our focus to ensuring football thrives in the future.

"To do that we need to understand the challenges and opportunities and set a clear vision together."

Gill described it as an "exciting and important project", with the engagement at all levels differing it from other reviews.

"To make positive change we need a view that considers the entire football landscape and caters for the aspirations of all players, coaches, umpires at every level of the game,'' Gill said.

"To set up local football strongly moving forward we need the insights, knowledge and passion of those right across the football community."

Gill said engagement with leagues had started in recent days and over coming months would "look at a range of ways to capture valuable data and consult deeply with an array of people".

It will take place while the Colin Carter-led review into the AFL business plan is taking place so AFL Tasmania can be ready whatever scenario that delivers.