Marti Zucco: City of Hobart must play a role in AFL

Whatever the future model for AFL football is to be in Tasmania the City of Hobart must be involved with the process to ensure that the North Melbourne deal is retained with the City continuing to play a major role to ensure future games are played in Hobart.

As the catalyst behind securing AFL football to be played in Hobart after nearly 30years it’s imperative that the focus on maintaining the status quo is the first step in ensuring that AFL is in Hobart to stay and the City of Hobart must continue to play a major role in the process

Politics was the obstacle that kept AFL football away from Hobart for years and after all the hard work to secure the North Melbourne deal when it looked dead and buried, the community should not be subjected to any politics that may in any way jeopardize the continuation of the North Melbourne deal for the immediate and long term future of games in Hobart.

Hobart is the Capital City of Tasmania and as the Capital the Council needs to support the continuation of games irrespective of the Politics and personal opinions and must play a major role in further capitalizing on the success of the AFL in Hobart and also Launceston.

What needs to be understood is the AFL is a mighty juggernaut that the City of Hobart must be willing to work with for a vast number of reasons.

When the Hobart City council decided to support the proposal of AFL games in Hobart it was based on boosting economic activity in Hobart in the slow winter months.

AFL games have delivered the economic activity beyond expectations so this box has been well and truly been ticked and achieved.

Based on the economic returns for the City and the Southern region to walk away from this success would be detrimental and as a Capital City Alderman I truly believe that decisions should also consider the impact on the greater southern region and Tasmania as a whole.

Hobart is experiencing a huge influx of tourists and to ensure that this continues Hobart and the South must have a diverse range of events which will continue to bring a diverse group of tourists to the State. This is why the City must ensure that it supports a vast range of events and the AFL is one that fits the bill.

Not only has AFL games delivered economically but it delivers a social benefit that I believe outweighs the economic benefits.

I consider sport to be one of the best medicines for our social fabric it provides opportunities for those that would not have the means to do so it inspires our children to achieve and it also provides an opportunity for parents grandparents our young and teenagers to attend a sporting event as a group.

The AFL indigenous and schools programs inspire young people and in an age where computer games have seen the erosion of outdoor activities we talk about the obesity of our kids sport is the key and the AFL juggernaut is one organisation that is working in these areas.

We all know that AFL football has been a male dominant sport but in recent years the AFL has been working towards developing a female competition and who knows one day we could see a female playing at the elite level.

Seeing the Auskick at halftime with young girls and boys playing the game is another program that brings together the important social fabric that the AFL delivers.

Let’s not forget the support the AFL plays in charities far and wide the number of charities that utilize AFL memorabilia for fundraising for their important causes is astounding we have seen foundations set up and many current and former footballers constantly assisting in fundraising events.

In recent times with the sad passing of Nick Riewoldt’s sister Madeline in which the family has set up a foundation which will assist in raising funds for Bone Marrow research and with the recent St Kilda match Nick had the opportunity to further this worthwhile cause of Maddies Vision right here in Hobart.

As we know footy people are supportive and a game played in Melbourne will no doubt lift the profile of this worthy cause. As the Riewolds are Tasmanian I personally would love to see St Kilda play a game in Hobart each year to assist the Foundation in some way. Maybe the Maddie Riewoldt Hobart Challenge. A game in Hobart could be in addition to the Victorian game and with a potential second game played here in the heartland of the family would further assist this worthy cause.

The AFL is not just a money grabbing organisation as some people portray and question why should the State Government sponsor Hawthorn or the City of Hobart support North Melbourne.

The City of Hobart has an obligation to its residents to driver not only the Taste of Tasmania, the Arts, parklands, Markets or Christmas carols and other activities it has an obligation to deliver the needs and aspirations of all residents and as the Capital City it should also recognize that it has a role to play in Southern Tasmania and the State as a whole.

It’s not just about football or sport it’s about the big picture the City of Hobart is the main beneficiary of the AFL games in which assists the greater Hobart and as we have seen in recent years the influx of tourists and the explosion of Hotels being built in Hobart, the City of Hobart must continue its support of AFL games in Hobart at the current level anything less the Council is doing and injustice to what the overall AFL package brings to Hobart and its residents.

On closing Hobart has hosted the AFL commission. Who would have thought this would happen in October 2010 when the first meeting was held to get AFL games to Hobart!
Alderman Marti Zucco