How To Get An AFL Team In Tasmania? $150,000 And A Team Of Executives

A high-powered team of business and football leaders with $150,000 in State Budget will be responsible for getting an AFL and AFLW side off the ground in Tasmania.

Chaired by founding Virgin Australia CEO and tourism industry entrepreneur, Brett Godfrey, the Project Team will be tasked with providing advice on the most appropriate organisational structure to progress the bid process, which could include the establishment of an entity to take ownership of a future licence.

He will be joined on the Project Team by former Woolworths CEO Grant O’Brien, Football Tasmania Board Member and Lauderdale FC President Julie Kay, prominent Tasmanian business identity Errol Stewart, former GWS Giants Chief Financial Officer and current TasRacing CEO, Paul Eriksson, and Executive Chairman of Dynamic Sports and Entertainment Group, James Henderson.

Collectively, the Project Team represents decades of experience at the highest levels of Australian business, together with extensive experience in football.

It is a team that is well equipped to demonstrate to the AFL commission that the inclusion of a Tasmanian team would not only stack up financially but would strengthen the AFL by making it a truly national competition.

The Project Team will also consult with the Tasmanian football community, the Football Tasmania Board, the AFL, and Government, to develop a business case by the end of 2019 which will include consideration of:

• Governance and organisational structure of the teams;
• Club support and membership;
• Financial requirements, including estimates of revenue and expenses;
• Corporate and government support;
• Infrastructure, facility and capital investment requirements; and
• Football community pathways.

The project team will hit the ground running with their first meeting being held later this week.