Junior football in northern Tasmania is set to explode, with the Northern Tasmania Junior Football Association (NTJFA) launching a brand-new Under 8 competition for boys and girls in 2026 - the first step in an exciting evolution for the game in the region.
The introduction of Under 8s is among 36 recommendations from a comprehensive review conducted by the NTJFA and AFL Tasmania. The review sets out bold plans to grow junior football in the North, with a vision to make the region a national leader in participation per capita.
The new Under 8 competition will provide a stronger launchpad for local football and encourage more clubs to engage with juniors by fielding entry-level teams. All clubs will also operate NAB AFL Auskick centres – including all-girls programs, ensuring every junior club is anchored by a strong Auskick base.
This pathway will streamline progression from Auskick programs into community football, creating more opportunities for kids to pick up a footy and stay connected to the game.
With Tasmanian football entering a new era following the awarding of the state’s AFL and AFLW licences, the NTJFA is determined to seize the moment and secure long-term success for the region.
The NTJFA and AFL Tasmania reviewed the competition to ensure it delivers a high-quality experience for players, while setting a clear purpose: to get more boys and girls across Northern Tasmania playing and enjoying the game.
All NTJFA member clubs were actively engaged in the review process, culminating in a recent forum where the majority of recommendations were strongly endorsed. Of the 36 recommendations, 32 have already been approved by clubs, with a majority to be rolled out as early as 2026.
The report addressed barriers and operational challenges to participation growth. Key among these is the adoption of the AFL’s Junior Rules in full, designed to ensure competitions are fun, inclusive, and development focused.
A major focus of the review was also female football, identified as a significant growth opportunity. From 2027, the Girls’ U17 competition will transition to U16s, in coordination with the NTFA’s introduction of an U18 competition. This alignment is designed to boost quality, support retention, and improve the current transition rate of just 50% from junior to senior football.
The review also recommends changes to boys’ competitions, with a focus on reducing lopsided contests and avoiding mid-season division reshuffles.
Alongside structural changes, the NTJFA will simplify league operations, cutting red tape, clarifying regulations, and reducing workloads for volunteers – ensuring clubs can grow sustainably and focus on what matters most: developing young players.
NTJFA President, Josh Nast:
“This has been an extremely exciting process to work through with our clubs, and I’m so thankful for their buy-in and collegiate approach as we seize this generational opportunity for footy in our region.
“Our commitment is to stay true to our purpose – getting more boys and girls playing and enjoying footy in northern Tasmania – while simplifying processes and running the competition in a way that makes life as easy as possible for volunteers.
“There are adjustments, but it’s the new opportunities that excite me most. The introduction of Under 8s will spark significant growth in the region, and the expansion of the girls’ pathway is another clear opportunity for us all to realise together.”
AFL Tasmania Community Football Manager, Tom Barwick:
“The base of the pyramid is critical to making a step change for footy in northern Tasmania, and that means strong Auskick programs and Under 8s in every club. We can’t wait to see it come to life.
“This is footy heartland, and the game will remain incredibly strong if we continue to prioritise the growth of the NTJFA and keep the focus on participation and fun. These recommendations are about building the game’s future, and the clubs have embraced that vision.
“I’ve been really encouraged by the appetite from clubs to work together, with a clear understanding that practices need to evolve if we’re going to deliver the quantum leap in participation, we are all aiming for.”
See the Report Summary here.
See the Full Report here.