1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:03,480 Speaker 1: And there has been discussion in recent weeks about footy 2 00:00:03,680 --> 00:00:08,039 Speaker 1: being played in community, particularly in Central Australia, and I 3 00:00:08,080 --> 00:00:11,760 Speaker 1: know that well. Alice Springstown Counselor Michael Little used a 4 00:00:11,800 --> 00:00:13,680 Speaker 1: council meeting last week to call for a bit of 5 00:00:13,680 --> 00:00:16,800 Speaker 1: a pause on the upcoming season being played in Alice 6 00:00:16,800 --> 00:00:19,759 Speaker 1: Springs because of the chaos it brings. Now joining me 7 00:00:19,800 --> 00:00:23,840 Speaker 1: on the line is the AFLNT chairman Sean About and 8 00:00:23,880 --> 00:00:25,360 Speaker 1: good morning to you, Sean. 9 00:00:26,160 --> 00:00:27,760 Speaker 2: Hey, good morning Katie Sean. 10 00:00:27,800 --> 00:00:31,480 Speaker 1: I know that there has been well some unreased I 11 00:00:31,520 --> 00:00:34,960 Speaker 1: guess should say in Central Australia, or some bad behavior 12 00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:38,600 Speaker 1: I guess should say, over recent weeks. What kind of 13 00:00:38,640 --> 00:00:41,360 Speaker 1: impact does that have on footy? 14 00:00:42,400 --> 00:00:44,880 Speaker 2: Well, at the moment, probably the first thing to say 15 00:00:44,920 --> 00:00:47,080 Speaker 2: is there's no football being played in other springs YEP. 16 00:00:47,200 --> 00:00:50,880 Speaker 2: Season finished in September last year and won't resumement still 17 00:00:51,120 --> 00:00:54,480 Speaker 2: until late April early May. But when the footy is 18 00:00:54,520 --> 00:00:58,920 Speaker 2: being played, the community competition nowadays is played in Olla Springs, 19 00:01:00,040 --> 00:01:04,520 Speaker 2: so community members will travel in in large numbers and 20 00:01:04,840 --> 00:01:07,040 Speaker 2: support their team and many of them travel home, but 21 00:01:07,120 --> 00:01:09,600 Speaker 2: some of them don't, and that's what we acknowledge is 22 00:01:09,920 --> 00:01:13,559 Speaker 2: an issue that there is this flow on from people 23 00:01:13,600 --> 00:01:18,640 Speaker 2: coming into Alice Springs, and as people would understand, there's 24 00:01:18,640 --> 00:01:23,360 Speaker 2: already very difficult socioeconomic issues in Alice Springs and it's 25 00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:27,360 Speaker 2: not this isn't caused by football, but football does have 26 00:01:27,400 --> 00:01:29,920 Speaker 2: a role to play, and we want to be a 27 00:01:29,959 --> 00:01:32,039 Speaker 2: force for good in the debate, and we want to 28 00:01:32,040 --> 00:01:34,240 Speaker 2: make sure that whatever we're doing is done in the 29 00:01:34,319 --> 00:01:36,520 Speaker 2: right way, in a way that respects the people of 30 00:01:36,520 --> 00:01:38,839 Speaker 2: Alice Springs as much as it respects the community members. 31 00:01:39,160 --> 00:01:41,600 Speaker 1: Yeah. Absolutely, And you know, I think you hit the 32 00:01:41,680 --> 00:01:43,759 Speaker 1: nail on the head. Foot is such a wonderful thing 33 00:01:43,840 --> 00:01:48,120 Speaker 1: for everybody, and you know, a real fabric of the community. 34 00:01:48,200 --> 00:01:50,320 Speaker 1: So you want to make sure that it's having that 35 00:01:50,360 --> 00:01:54,440 Speaker 1: positive impact, which in so many ways it does. Sean, 36 00:01:54,520 --> 00:01:57,080 Speaker 1: I know that there's been that discussion obviously, Ala Springs 37 00:01:57,080 --> 00:02:00,240 Speaker 1: Counselor Michael Little talking in that council meeting Life last 38 00:02:00,240 --> 00:02:02,080 Speaker 1: week and saying that there does need to be that 39 00:02:02,160 --> 00:02:06,280 Speaker 1: pause on the upcoming season for Alice Springs and looking 40 00:02:06,360 --> 00:02:10,240 Speaker 1: at playing some of those games in other communities, But 41 00:02:10,720 --> 00:02:13,560 Speaker 1: does that lack of infrastructure in some of those communities 42 00:02:13,600 --> 00:02:14,760 Speaker 1: prevent that from happening. 43 00:02:16,360 --> 00:02:19,399 Speaker 2: It's a massive issue. The infrastructure card in it. It's 44 00:02:19,440 --> 00:02:23,480 Speaker 2: not just the infrastructure, it's the general capacity to put 45 00:02:23,520 --> 00:02:26,679 Speaker 2: competitions on out in the remote areas where you need 46 00:02:27,240 --> 00:02:30,600 Speaker 2: if we're involved, you need match managers, you need umpires, 47 00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:32,480 Speaker 2: you need to get out there. You also need to 48 00:02:32,520 --> 00:02:35,639 Speaker 2: have the basic communities for people. You need toilets and 49 00:02:35,720 --> 00:02:38,399 Speaker 2: change for the players, you need shade for the supporters, 50 00:02:38,440 --> 00:02:41,200 Speaker 2: you need water available and of course we have to 51 00:02:41,240 --> 00:02:44,080 Speaker 2: confer very closely with the police and the medical services 52 00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:46,240 Speaker 2: out there. There's a whole lot of things that do 53 00:02:46,400 --> 00:02:47,480 Speaker 2: need to be done. 54 00:02:47,960 --> 00:02:48,160 Speaker 1: Now. 55 00:02:48,800 --> 00:02:51,040 Speaker 2: We're not adverse to having that discussion and we'd like 56 00:02:51,080 --> 00:02:53,880 Speaker 2: to have it. We want to find the balance between 57 00:02:53,960 --> 00:02:57,320 Speaker 2: playing football on the terrific oveles the Ella Springstown Council 58 00:02:58,600 --> 00:03:01,200 Speaker 2: works with us to play on in Springs and the 59 00:03:01,240 --> 00:03:03,840 Speaker 2: ables that we've got in the remote communities. We want 60 00:03:03,880 --> 00:03:06,120 Speaker 2: to try and find a balance with the fixture. But 61 00:03:06,200 --> 00:03:08,280 Speaker 2: it's not as simple as simply saying let's go and 62 00:03:08,320 --> 00:03:11,200 Speaker 2: play out Bush. And one thing we're not going to 63 00:03:11,240 --> 00:03:13,760 Speaker 2: do is take away the opportunity for the young men 64 00:03:13,919 --> 00:03:17,079 Speaker 2: and women and their families of Central Australian Regional Central 65 00:03:17,080 --> 00:03:20,520 Speaker 2: Australia to play football. We have some young men that 66 00:03:20,639 --> 00:03:23,760 Speaker 2: come in on a Thursday or Friday, they'll play some 67 00:03:23,960 --> 00:03:27,560 Speaker 2: junior football in the CIFL, they'll play some senior football 68 00:03:27,560 --> 00:03:29,639 Speaker 2: and CFL, and then they'll play for their community team 69 00:03:29,680 --> 00:03:32,240 Speaker 2: on the Sunday and then they go home and this 70 00:03:32,320 --> 00:03:34,440 Speaker 2: is the highlight of their week. So we have to 71 00:03:34,480 --> 00:03:36,560 Speaker 2: find a way to make sure that continues to happen, 72 00:03:37,040 --> 00:03:40,440 Speaker 2: and also to work really closely with the presidents of 73 00:03:40,480 --> 00:03:44,360 Speaker 2: the CIFL to improve that competition. They also, by the way, 74 00:03:44,400 --> 00:03:49,480 Speaker 2: rely on community footballers. So it's a nuanced discussion and 75 00:03:49,680 --> 00:03:52,000 Speaker 2: we're really welcome it, and we'd like to know. I've 76 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:54,480 Speaker 2: known Michael for a very long time and he's a 77 00:03:54,560 --> 00:03:57,400 Speaker 2: terrific advocate for his people and for the community, and 78 00:03:57,480 --> 00:04:00,000 Speaker 2: I think what he's done is open up an opportunity 79 00:04:00,040 --> 00:04:01,400 Speaker 2: for us to have the discussion again. 80 00:04:01,680 --> 00:04:04,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, so obviously the you know, the league isn't due 81 00:04:04,480 --> 00:04:06,480 Speaker 1: to start, as I understand, till April, so you've got 82 00:04:06,480 --> 00:04:08,840 Speaker 1: a bit of time up your sleeve. What are the 83 00:04:08,880 --> 00:04:11,480 Speaker 1: plans in place when it comes to those discussions, and 84 00:04:11,560 --> 00:04:13,520 Speaker 1: you know the potential here because I think that point 85 00:04:13,560 --> 00:04:16,640 Speaker 1: you've made is a really important one. That you can't 86 00:04:16,680 --> 00:04:19,240 Speaker 1: just say, all right, we're going to have this footy 87 00:04:19,279 --> 00:04:21,640 Speaker 1: game played out in this community on this day. You've 88 00:04:21,640 --> 00:04:23,560 Speaker 1: got to actually make sure that all the support is 89 00:04:23,600 --> 00:04:26,920 Speaker 1: out there for that game too, and the staff members. 90 00:04:26,960 --> 00:04:29,960 Speaker 1: It's a logistical challenge in terms of getting people out there. 91 00:04:30,920 --> 00:04:32,919 Speaker 1: So what you know, what sort of plans have you 92 00:04:32,960 --> 00:04:35,479 Speaker 1: got underway or what discussions are going to happen. 93 00:04:37,960 --> 00:04:43,280 Speaker 2: Ow AFL CEO Sam Gibson and our football leader leeld 94 00:04:43,400 --> 00:04:46,080 Speaker 2: Or will be down in Alice Springs shortly and I 95 00:04:46,120 --> 00:04:49,160 Speaker 2: understand their meeting with every all the key stakeholders, the 96 00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:53,440 Speaker 2: Alice Springstown Council and others. They'll also be meeting with 97 00:04:53,480 --> 00:04:56,599 Speaker 2: some of the community leaders. And there's some great community 98 00:04:56,680 --> 00:05:01,279 Speaker 2: leaders around football. Papunya, you Undermose, Santa Theresa, Tea Tree, 99 00:05:01,320 --> 00:05:03,840 Speaker 2: all these places. They love their football. So we're going 100 00:05:03,880 --> 00:05:06,359 Speaker 2: to have those discussions with them. We're going to seek 101 00:05:06,360 --> 00:05:09,200 Speaker 2: to find that balance where we can play a mix 102 00:05:09,240 --> 00:05:12,239 Speaker 2: of games out Bush and if not, if we can't 103 00:05:12,240 --> 00:05:14,440 Speaker 2: do it this year, we want the pathway that we 104 00:05:14,480 --> 00:05:16,520 Speaker 2: can do it in the following years and the years 105 00:05:16,560 --> 00:05:19,040 Speaker 2: after that. We don't want to lose this opportunity. That's 106 00:05:19,560 --> 00:05:22,320 Speaker 2: opened up to have the discussion about the infrastructure. It's 107 00:05:22,360 --> 00:05:24,400 Speaker 2: really important. I think you and I have talked about 108 00:05:24,400 --> 00:05:28,320 Speaker 2: it before, and we want to make sure that we're 109 00:05:28,360 --> 00:05:31,680 Speaker 2: in the debate, that we're at stakeholder with the other 110 00:05:32,160 --> 00:05:34,360 Speaker 2: really important leaders in all the springs, that we're able 111 00:05:34,360 --> 00:05:37,680 Speaker 2: to get this right, which will be a benefit i'm 112 00:05:37,720 --> 00:05:40,599 Speaker 2: sure for the residents of Alice Springs who there is 113 00:05:40,720 --> 00:05:42,920 Speaker 2: really difficult issues going on down there at the moment 114 00:05:42,920 --> 00:05:45,680 Speaker 2: and we know that. And also we keep footy as 115 00:05:45,680 --> 00:05:48,240 Speaker 2: a bit of a beacon for the community members, for 116 00:05:48,279 --> 00:05:49,760 Speaker 2: the young people and their families. 117 00:05:49,960 --> 00:05:51,960 Speaker 1: Yeah, and I reckon it is such a tough juggle 118 00:05:52,000 --> 00:05:55,080 Speaker 1: here as well, because like you've said, footy is a 119 00:05:55,080 --> 00:05:57,400 Speaker 1: bit of a beacon, particularly for some of those young 120 00:05:57,440 --> 00:05:59,960 Speaker 1: ones who look forward to it every weekend. Well doesn't 121 00:06:00,040 --> 00:06:02,640 Speaker 1: matter what age you are really playing your footy, but 122 00:06:02,720 --> 00:06:05,560 Speaker 1: the large majority I would assume as well, you know, 123 00:06:05,720 --> 00:06:08,960 Speaker 1: absolutely well behaved and doing the right thing, and you 124 00:06:09,000 --> 00:06:10,840 Speaker 1: don't want to punish everybody or you don't want to 125 00:06:10,920 --> 00:06:14,080 Speaker 1: change things for everybody. It needs to be something that's 126 00:06:14,200 --> 00:06:17,279 Speaker 1: very much you know, good for the people of value, 127 00:06:17,400 --> 00:06:20,320 Speaker 1: good for the communities, and good for everyone playing. 128 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:25,320 Speaker 2: Footy absolutely, And one of the big important discussions we 129 00:06:25,400 --> 00:06:27,279 Speaker 2: have to have is with the police leaders down in 130 00:06:27,279 --> 00:06:30,400 Speaker 2: Alice brings in Central Australia and we have to get 131 00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:32,920 Speaker 2: a better understanding I think just from my review of 132 00:06:32,960 --> 00:06:35,479 Speaker 2: the matter over the last week or so of the 133 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:38,000 Speaker 2: data and where the issues really do lie. We know 134 00:06:38,080 --> 00:06:40,240 Speaker 2: we had an issue at the Grand Final last year 135 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:44,080 Speaker 2: for the community competition, but that was a peak issue. 136 00:06:44,320 --> 00:06:48,040 Speaker 2: Most of most of the games are played in great spirit, 137 00:06:49,120 --> 00:06:52,680 Speaker 2: highly talented football and football is going on out there 138 00:06:52,760 --> 00:06:56,040 Speaker 2: with big crowds on a Sunday, which brings economic activity 139 00:06:56,080 --> 00:06:58,960 Speaker 2: in life to the town on a Sunday. So it's 140 00:06:58,960 --> 00:07:02,039 Speaker 2: what's happening before and what's happening after? And I think, 141 00:07:02,440 --> 00:07:04,080 Speaker 2: you know, and I know the police are really up 142 00:07:04,120 --> 00:07:06,440 Speaker 2: for this discussion and we'll be in it with us. 143 00:07:07,320 --> 00:07:10,240 Speaker 2: And if we can get football back into the communities, 144 00:07:10,400 --> 00:07:12,640 Speaker 2: I think also that's a great thing for the communities. 145 00:07:12,720 --> 00:07:14,880 Speaker 2: I mean in the top end we play the community 146 00:07:14,880 --> 00:07:17,880 Speaker 2: competitions out at Gove, at what air Man and greater 147 00:07:18,120 --> 00:07:20,280 Speaker 2: on the Tewei and the police tell us that when 148 00:07:20,280 --> 00:07:23,800 Speaker 2: foota's happening community the community is great. So we don't 149 00:07:23,800 --> 00:07:25,480 Speaker 2: want to lose sight of that that that's a real 150 00:07:25,520 --> 00:07:27,800 Speaker 2: option and something that we want to drive towards. 151 00:07:28,080 --> 00:07:30,239 Speaker 1: So at this point in time, are there many games 152 00:07:30,320 --> 00:07:34,000 Speaker 1: that do get to be played outside of Valles Springs 153 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:35,840 Speaker 1: when the footy season is on, or is it a 154 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:37,400 Speaker 1: situation where there really isn't. 155 00:07:37,400 --> 00:07:41,119 Speaker 2: At the moment, there are games, and there is still 156 00:07:41,400 --> 00:07:47,680 Speaker 2: a moving sort of unfixted community competition where teams and 157 00:07:47,720 --> 00:07:50,960 Speaker 2: communities will move around playing each other. Muty Jewel who 158 00:07:51,000 --> 00:07:55,400 Speaker 2: play in the ap Lands competition, and I believe they've 159 00:07:55,400 --> 00:07:57,720 Speaker 2: put the hand up to playing the community competition out 160 00:07:57,720 --> 00:07:59,400 Speaker 2: of Alice Springs this year, so that might be a 161 00:07:59,400 --> 00:08:02,000 Speaker 2: bit of a another different moving part. And I mean, 162 00:08:02,040 --> 00:08:04,560 Speaker 2: wouldn't it be great to play football down at Airs Rock. 163 00:08:04,560 --> 00:08:06,120 Speaker 1: Oh go to be amazing the rock there? 164 00:08:06,240 --> 00:08:08,840 Speaker 2: Yea, that'd be just incredible. So we want to embrace 165 00:08:08,880 --> 00:08:11,720 Speaker 2: those opportunities. And I saw ash Barty was down at 166 00:08:11,800 --> 00:08:15,480 Speaker 2: Mudy Julu a few days ago and just you could 167 00:08:15,520 --> 00:08:17,280 Speaker 2: see she's with the kids there and just what it 168 00:08:17,360 --> 00:08:19,720 Speaker 2: did for those kids to have someone like her there 169 00:08:19,760 --> 00:08:22,360 Speaker 2: and that sort of role model. And we want to 170 00:08:22,400 --> 00:08:26,880 Speaker 2: make football that sort of motivator and activator for these communities. 171 00:08:26,880 --> 00:08:29,600 Speaker 2: So it is happening if we can get it. It'll 172 00:08:29,600 --> 00:08:32,640 Speaker 2: be up to communities really to tell us ultimately how 173 00:08:32,679 --> 00:08:34,640 Speaker 2: they want it to happen. But if we can play 174 00:08:34,760 --> 00:08:38,440 Speaker 2: a series of community competition games in the bush, we're 175 00:08:38,440 --> 00:08:40,079 Speaker 2: going to explore that really carefully. 176 00:08:40,400 --> 00:08:44,320 Speaker 1: Well, Sean Bowden, AFLNT Chairman, I really appreciate your time 177 00:08:44,360 --> 00:08:45,960 Speaker 1: this morning. Thanks for having a chat with us and 178 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:48,360 Speaker 1: sort of giving us a bit more detail about the situation. 179 00:08:49,440 --> 00:08:50,160 Speaker 2: Yeah. Thanks, Krtie. 180 00:08:50,160 --> 00:08:52,280 Speaker 1: I appreciate the opportunity, no worries, Thank you.