The inaugural chair of Tasmania’s AFL membership insists he will not be deterred by ongoing debate and political upheaval surrounding the island state’s entry to the nationwide competitors.
Unveiled because the but unnamed membership’s first chief on Friday, former Woolworths chief govt Grant O’Brien has loads of work to do earlier than the nineteenth AFL workforce’s deliberate launch date in 2028.
And his mantra is straightforward.
“We’ve got to get on with it – 2028 is not that far away,” O’Brien advised reporters on Friday.
“There’s always been huge support for a club in this state. I don’t think there’s any denying that.
“We’ve bought to get on and construct that membership, and that is what we will do.”
Tasmania’s AFL entry remains contingent on the building of a controversial new 23,000-seat roofed stadium at Hobart’s Macquarie Point.
The deal has faced public and political opposition and caused chaos in the Liberal state government, with two MPs quitting the party in May over concerns about the planned $715 million arena.
O’Brien mentioned he’ll “go away the politics to the politicians”.
“I’m actually centered,” O’Brien mentioned.
“We’ve bought to construct one thing that Tasmanians will need and that’s to be aggressive on this competitors.
“We’ve got to be competitive on the ground, which I’m really confident we can be, and we need to be competitive off the ground.
“So when it comes to trepidation, I haven’t got time for that. We’ve bought to get on and construct this membership.”
One of O’Brien’s most pressing tasks is to appoint a club board, which he will select as part of a five-person nominations committee that includes AFL chief executive-elect Andrew Dillon.
Former Richmond president Peggy O’Neal, Olympian Liz Jack and Tasmanian AFL Taskforce member Errol Stewart are also on the committee.
Former Tasmanian premier Peter Gutwein, who was overlooked for the role of club chair, looms as a likely candidate to fill a spot on the board, which will be appointed by the end of August.
O’Brien said he is also intent on firming up plans for a high performance centre, which he highlighted as crucial to player retention, as well as working with state and federal governments on the new stadium and community engagement.
Fans will be consulted in selecting the new club’s name, theme song and colours, while foundation memberships will be offered before the end of the year.
“This is Tasmania’s workforce,” O’Brien mentioned.
“It’s owned by Tasmanians and it is going to be their voice that guides us in what we have to do in placing this workforce collectively.”
Tasmania-born O’Brien is the also chairman of Tourism Tasmania and chief executive of the Port Arthur Authority.
He played in the Penguin Football Club’s 1980 premiership side and offered a light-hearted suggestion as what the Tasmanian AFL club might be named.
“The early favorite is the Penguins … however I’m unsure that is going to fly,” O’Brien mentioned.
O’Brien was unveiled because the Tasmanian membership’s inaugural chair at Penguin’s Dial Park residence floor.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
