Tassie boys and girls will be able to attend the School Sports Association football carnival in 2020, with an agreement reached today between the State Government and AFL Tasmania.
AFL Tasmania will continue to manage the program this year, with the Government assisting them to ensure the extended Tasmanian Devils Academy training program also continues as proposed.
Premier Peter Gutwein said the Tasmanian Government will work directly with the Department of Education and Communities Tasmania to ensure a seamless transition occurs from the AFL for the 2021 year.
“This is a great outcome and a win for Tassie kids,” Premier Gutwein said.
“We thank AFL Tasmania for being prepared to remain on board this year.
“When I proposed this option as a way forward, Trisha Squires was very accommodating, as we both understand the benefit to our kids of participating in sport and the importance of the opportunity to play at a national level.”
Trisha Squires said AFL Tasmania was a strong driver of sporting pathways for students, from grassroots to state and national levels.
“We are pleased Tasmanian boys and girls that wish to participate in the SSA Carnival will continue to get that opportunity,” she said.
“We are really committed to our new extended underage pathway, with the Tasmanian Devils Academy providing greater opportunity for more young Tasmanians to be part of a high performance program. We certainly do not want to see Tasmanian boys and girls miss out though, so we are happy to support with the SSA team coordination in this transition period.”