AFL Toyota Premiership 2011

 
Creating a league that engages communities in Queensland, NT, NSW and ACT in an interstate competition that also incorporates the second tier teams of the four AFL clubs in NSW and Queensland.

Introduction

The AFL's footprint in NSW, ACT, Queensland and NT continues to expand rapidly. The introduction of the North East Australian Football League (NEAFL) will further stimulate this growth

From 2005 to 2009 in NSW/ACT, Queensland and the NT:

• Participation* grew by nearly 80 per cent from 139,049 to 249,424
• NAB AFL Auskick grew by 33 per cent from 55,099 to 73,263
• The number of community clubs increased from 562 to 616 (54 new clubs)
• The Gold Coast Suns and Team GWS will enter the national AFL competition in 2011 and 2012 repsectively.

The NEAFL will further improve second Tier football in Queensland, NT, NSW, ACT and compliment the AFL's 'grow the game' development efforts in these key growth markets.

The concept of a NEAFL is completely consistent with current AFL endeavours to develop more aggressive and innovative talent pathway solutions in NSW and Queensland. In addition, this league will:

1. Enhance the talented player pathway in NSW, ACT, Qld and the NT by providing a higher standard of football below the AFL and establishing a better 'stay at home' opportunity for talented athletes to consider.
2. Provide a high standard of localised football for the four AFL clubs to develop their listed players.
3. Integrate with and build upon the recent introduction of the four AFL club academies in these highly competitive markets to increase share.
4. Establish a high quality second tier football competition to send a message that this level of competition is not only available in the southern or traditional football states.
5. Develop a strong promotional vehicle that becomes the pinnacle the talent pathway below the AFL and support the development of the grassroots game in these priority growth markets.
6. Create a new commercial and media property for corporate, government and broadcast partners to consider.
7. Leverage off the existing resources, management and economy of the competitions and clubs involved to continue to carry the competition and ultimately, help fund the initiative from existing football budgets.
8. Improve the reach &and expand the AFL footprint in these regions and, in time, become a competition more commensurate with the standard and standing of the VFL, SANFL and the WAFL.

Structure

The NEAFL will comprise of a Northern conference that will encapsulate Queensland and NT clubs and an Eastern conference that will consist of NSW and ACT clubs:

Eastern Conference	Northern Conference
Five Canberra teams: Ainslie Belconnen Eastlake Queanbeyan Tuggeranong	Four Brisbane teams: Aspley Morningside Mt Gravatt Redland
	Three Gold Coast teams: Broadbeach Labrador Southport
	One NT team: NT Thunder
Along with the 2nd tier teams of AFL clubs:
Sydney Swans GWS	Brisbane Lions Gold Coast Suns

Cross-conference

For most of the season NEAFL clubs will play within their respective conferences, in addition there will be a number of opportunities through the year for clubs to play cross conference games:

Benefits

1. Cross conference games will provide opportunities for state league clubs to play games interstate:
   • ACT, NT, Sydney & Queensland teams will play interstate games
   • The current experience of NT Thunder playing games in Queensland and vice versa will continue
   • As the NEAFL develops, the number of cross conference interstate games can increase
2. The NEAFL Grand Final will be an additional opportunity for an interstate game:
   • Each conference will stage a Grand Final to decide the Conference Premiers (playing for traditional Queensland & ACT trophies)
   • The two Conference Premiers will play off in the overall NEAFL Grand Final to decide the NEAFL Premiers
3. Increased AFL club involvement in each market will provide a significant increase in exposure:
   • AFL clubs will play each other seven times during the season (five times in their own state & two games interstate)
   • Results in an increased number of games in which AFL teams will be able to play without any on-field player restrictions
4. Will provide benefits, greater awareness and exposure for all stakeholders including:
   • The participating clubs, their sponsors and their corporate partners
   • The players with ambitions to progress to the AFL competition or simply play the best standard of football they can
5. The additional AFL and third party investment in each region in terms of resources, infrastructure and match day operational expenses:
   • Will provide increased investment in these regions to supplement the significant football economy that already exists
   • Supports the current AFL strategy to enhance the national footprint in these important developing markets
   • Presents a more attractive and diverse partnership/sponsorship property on which the overall competition could capitalise
   • May develop a broadcast outcome in the future

 

* Participation means "a participant involved in a program of six weeks or more in Australian Football"