1882
Essendon visited Tasmania
Visiting VFA club Essendon, played four matches in Tasmania.
Match No. 1, Wednesday 23rd August 1882 Essendon played a Northern Tasmanian team, selected from Launceston clubs plus Ross and Longford clubs. The game was played on what was known as the 'Western Swamp'. Essendon scored 8 goals to Northern Tas. 2 goals.
Match No. 2, Saturday 26th August, Essendon played a combined STFA team in Hobart. Essendon won 6.15 (51) to STFA 2.18 (30).
Match No. 3, played 3rd September in Hobart (first ever Tasmanian team) the team was chosen from the North, North West and South of the State Tasmania v Essendon. Scores Essendon 6.27 (63) to Tasmania 1.8 (14).
Match No. 4, before heading back to Victoria, Essendon played a match against the Oatlands Association. The local side was made-up from Oatlands, Ross and Richmond players, with two players invited from Launceston and two from the STFA. making-up a 23 player list. Essendon won 8 goals to 2.
1883
North v South Games
North v South games commenced on an official basis, and the first of these combined games was won by the South: 6.18 (54) defeated North: 1.10 (16).
1884
Waving of White Flags
Both the Southern Tasmanian Football Association and Northern Tasmanian Football Association introduced the waving of white flags to signal either a goal or point by goal umpires.
1886
Northern Tasmanian Football Association (NTFA)
The NTFA emerged in 1886 to become one of three major competitions in Tasmania and reigned supreme in the North/North-East region of the State until 1986, when a State-wide competition commenced.
From within the centre of Launceston the NTFA was formed to create a strong competition with the following member clubs: Launceston, Fitzroy, North Launceston, Longford, Scottsdale, South Launceston, East Launceston, City, Essendon, Cornwell, City South, Deloraine and George Town.
Surveyed in 1826, Launceston was named after a town in the United Kingdom, the birth place of Philip Gidley King, third Governor of the Colony of New South Wales. In the 1830’s, Launceston was a whaling port and agricultural district. It was proclaimed a Municipality in 1852, a town in 1858 and a City in 1888. Launceston was the first city in Australia to have underground sewers, and the first City to be lit with hydroelectricity.
1887
NTFA Premier
No premiership played, but City was declared premiers based on heading the roster ladder. South Launceston were declared runners-up.
1906
Tasmanian Football League
Probably the most significant decision to emerge from the Australian Football Council (AFC) conference was that it recognised the TFL as being the controlling body for football in Tasmania, which in turn gave the TFL a right to have two delegates to the AFC conferences. There was however, a stipulation that one of the two Tasmanian Delegates be appointed from the NTFA.
Mr. W. H. Gill was elected as the TFL’s representative to its Executive Committee.
When the TFL was formed there would be only three clubs competing, Lefroy, North Hobart and Derwent Football Clubs. The Derwent Club had replaced Wellington Football Club that disbanded at the end of the 1905 season.
1907
NTFA Premier
No premiership played, but City was declared premiers based on heading the roster ladder. North Launceston were declared runners-up.
1907
Intra-State matches
There were two games played between the TFL and NTFA, the first in Launceston on 3rd June, where the League 10.14 (74) defeated the Northerners 7.9 (51).
The return match was also won by the TFL 8.13 (61) defeated NTFA 6.11 (47).
1907
North East-Coast Football Association (NECFA)
The NECFA was the parent association to 2 later association.
In June of 1907 at the quaint North Eastern Tasmanian township of Derby, the NECFA was formed. Its location rests at the intersection of the Ringarooma and Casade Rivers.
Derby was established in the mid–1870’s during a mining boom and the town has since flourished as an adventure and tourism destination.
Although teams came and went on an almost regular basis, it nevertheless remained a strong competition and produced many a top player.
Competing teams were many between 1907 and 1921: Alberton, Branxholm, Bridport, Cameron, Derby, Derby City, Fingal, Gladstone, Legerwood, Lilydale, Militia, Moorina, North Scottsdale, Pioneer, Pioneer-Gladstone, Ringarooma, Scottsdale, Scottsdale Crows, South Mt. Cameron, St. Helens, Wanderers, Warrentinna and Winnaleah.
Premierships:
1907 Derby
1908 Pioneer
1909 Derby
1910 Branxholm
1911 South Mt. Cameron
1912 Derby
1913 Derby City
1914 Derby City
1915 Derby City
1916-1918 WW 1
1919 Scottsdale
1920 Branxholm
1921 (not known)
1909
NTFA Premier
No premiership played, but Launceston was declared premiers based on heading the roster ladder. North Launceston was declared runners-up.
1909
TFL State Premiership
The official State Premiership commenced in 1909 between premiers of the TFL and NTFA, and the State final was played between the two.
It wasn’t until 1950 when Premiers of the NWFU joined, thus created a rotational format, ie one League would host and automatically qualify for the final, and the other two Leagues would play-off in a preliminary final, with the winner progressing to the final.
During the course of the competition there were several interruptions, mainly caused through disputes. Falling patronage became a serious concern and eventually, the State Premiership series came to an end in 1978.
1909
Portland Football Association (PFA)
Was formed in 1909 in the Cape Portland district of the Dorset Municipality. Its located near the North-Eastern tip of Tasmania. The cape points west across Ringarooma Bay where the Ringarooma River empties into the Tasman Sea.
Portland is named after Duke of Portland by Matthew Flinders during his 1798 circumnavigation of Tasmania. Renowned for its rugged coast-line and beautiful terrain, its green pastures and stunning sand beaches are a must.
From 1909 though to 1951 when the Association went unto recess. It catered for several teams from the North East region including: Anchor, City, Georges Bay, Lottah, Miners, Pyengana, St, Helens, Union Rovers and Weldborough.
Premierships:
1909 Lottah
1910
TFL Triangular Series
Matches once again were played between the NTFA, TFL and the NWFU, in what became known as the TFL Triangular Series.
1910
Lyell Miner’s Football Association
One game played each Sunday: Gormanston, Linda, North Lyell and Imperials.
1910
Portland Football Association
Lottah, season Premiers, Gould’s Country and St. Helens. Teams were 16 a side.
1910
Lyell District Association
Railway, season Premiers, 8.11.59 defeated Mechanics (no score provided) and St.Marys.
A name that was to become very well known in later years through his involvement with the TANFL/TFL, Major Vic Geard was a member of Mechanics that season.
1910
NWFU
The NWFU became responsible for the management of football in the North-West region.
Competing clubs in the inaugural season were: Burnie, Latrobe, Mersey, and Ulverstone.
It appears that several teams joined at varying times thereafter namely: A.P.P.M., Circular Head, Cooee, Devonport, Diggers, East Devonport, Penguin, Smithton and Wynyard,
1910
Scottsdale Football Association
The only information provided was City, who wore Red and White, 5.8.38 defeated Scottsdale 2.4.16 whose colours were Red and Black.
1913
State premiership abandoned
This years State premiership was abandoned when NTFA premiers Launceston, caused a sensation by refusing to take the field against TFL premiers Cananore, following a dispute with the League over the appointment of the central umpire for the match. The League endeavoured to replace the original umpire engaged, but no avail. This did not suit Launceston and the match was cancelled. The action of Launceston was reported to the NTFA, which took up the position of supporting the offending players in their action.
Finally, the League, as controlling body of football in the State, took action and disqualified the Launceston players, until such time as the League thought that such disqualification should be lifted.
1914
Shortage of players due to World War 1
Before the 1914 season was over, the effects of World War 1 made it difficult for clubs to assemble full teams for competition each week, as many players had enlisted for service. But despite the loss of so many fine players, the League was able to complete the season in a satisfactory manner.
1915
World War 1 caused mayhem for Tasmanian Football
The three TFL clubs found it very difficult to field reasonable teams on a weekly basis. Mainland clubs were unable to visit Tasmania. The TFL and NTFA officials decided not to play a State premiership in 1915.
At the end of the season the following players had enlisted for the Armed Service:
Lefroy: Bailey, I. Margetts, N. Allison, C. Abey, T. W. Simpson. W. Abel, F. Burton, B. Kilmartin, R. Totham, D. Nichols, F. Green, L. Barnett, Newman, E. Smith, Townley
Cananore: Randall, Clennett, Hope (killed in action), Lipscombe, Turner, Freeman, Brownell, C. Hannigan (killed in action), Westwood, Shaw, Pennyquick, Bowen.
North Hobart: A. Aulsebrook (killed in action), L. Chambers, E. Russell, A. Bucirde, K. Moore, W. Jack, K. Mackey, Ward (killed in action), V. Shirley, A. Stanton, H. Brain, Mahoney, W. D. Leitch.
1916
1916 - 1918 World War 1 – intervenes
The three major football bodies in Tasmania attended a meeting to discuss the future of the game. The result was a resolution that football be discontinued until the end of the War.
1919
NTFA no competition
No competition due to Influenza outbreak that swept Australia.
1919
Football resumed after the war under difficult conditions
The resumption of football in Hobart and most other centres after the War, followed a three year lapse of the game. But if that wasn’t enough, the population had to contend with an epidemic of Influenza that swept Australia and rage throughout Tasmania later in the season, football had to be cancelled according to health authorities advice, which applied to all forms of sport that attracted crowds.
1920
1920 War and epidemic recovery
The recovery process was a prosperous one for the game as most clubs around the State had survived well under the circumstance. A ‘remarkable resilience’ is probably the most apt description to describe the rebound by the peoples of Tasmania to the incredible impost of War and an epidemic.
1922
North Eastern Football Association (NEFA)
Was formed in 1922. NECFA clubs carried over to the new Association and were joined by new clubs Saints and Rovers.
1923
Re-introduction of the Triangular Series
Saw the re-introduction of the Triangular Series between the three major bodies : TFL. NTFA and NWFU.
1926
Cananore TFL & State Premiers
Cananore won the TFL premiership and then defeated NTFA premiers Launceston for State honours.
1928
Triangular Series
In the annual Triangular Series, results were: NTFA 13.12 (90) defeated the TANFL 8.15 (63 in Launceston. The TANFL 17. 18 (120) defeated NTFA 7.10 (52) in Hobart, a crowd of 14,00 patrons saw the game which was a record between the two leagues. In the third deciding match the TANFL 9.20 (74) defeated the NWFU 7.11 (53) at Burnie. The TANFL was successful in winning the series.
1929
Triangular Series
The TANFL repeated its 1928 performance in winning the Triangular Series. Results of games : In Hobart TANFL 17.7 (109) defeated NTFA 10.23 83. In Launceston NTFA 11.10 (76) defeated TANFL 6.10 (46) and at Burnie the TANFL clinched the series 13.21 (99) to NWFU 8.9 (57.
1930
Triangular Series
In the TANFL Triangular series the TANFL claimed the annual Jubilee Cup, scores from the three games played were : NTFA 16.17 (113) defeated TANFL 11.10 (76), in the second match the TANFL 17.7 (109) defeated NTFA 13.9 (87), the third clash was an easy win for the TANFL 19.17 (131) defeated NWFU 8.10 (58).
1931
State premiership
TANFL premiers Cananore met NTFA premiers North Launceston in the State final and won the match by just one point.
1932
Mount Stronach Football Association (MSFA)
Little is known about this association, but its possible that it was formed in 1931 and its home is where the current Mt. Stronach Reserve is located, 4 kilometres East of the town of Scottsdale in the North- Eastern region of Tasmania.
The area is recognised for its forest density and its several popular walking tracks. The MSFA may not have been a prominent Association, but it did service the needs of closely related communities. Its opening season was 1932 and it became defunct at the end of 1936.
In the MSFA inaugural season of 1932, there were four foundation member clubs: Bridport, Foresters, Lietinna and Springfield. Shortly after, new clubs: Scottsdale Ramblers, IXL, Nabowla and Warrentinna joined.
Its opening season saw the MSFA compete with a Combined Team from its ranks, in four representative matches, winning two against Derby Football Association, one against Ringarooma Football Association and was beaten by North-Eastern Football Association in the fourth match.
MSFA premiership winners were the recipients of the Steele Cup.
1942
NTFA 1942-1944
No competition due to World War 2.
1981
Tasmanian Greater Northern League (TGNL)
The NTFA had several disruptions over the years it operated in the Northern region of the State. One major change took place in 1981 when the NTFA merged with the NWFU to form the Greater Northern League (TGNL).
The TGNL came about by a merger of Northern Tasmanian Football Association and the North Western Football Union in 1981.
The concept was to have the top teams from the two major Northern competitions (NTFA & NWFU) play in one strong competition (TGNL). However, the move quickly found it had several challenges, such as a financial strain for both the Leagues and its clubs. Logistical problems of extensive travel across the Northern region of the State, and a lack of support from clubs and governing bodies. As a consequence of this, the TGNL folded after two seasons.
The TGNL competition was supported by the following competing clubs:
From NTFA:
City South Redlegs, East Launceston Demons, Launceston Blues, Longford Tigers, North Launceston Robins, Scottsdale Magpies.
From NWFU:
Burnie Tigers, Cooee Bulldogs, Devonport Magpies, East Devonport Swans, Latrobe Demons, Penguin Two Blues, Ulverstone Robins, Wynyard Cats and Smithton Saints.
1982
TGNL ends
Following the collapse of the TGNL at the end of 1982, both the NTFA and NWFU continued their respective competitions until the end of 1986.
1986
TFL State Wide League (TSWL)
In 1986 the TANFL had created a State wide competition. Member clubs were the existing six Southern, Clarence, Glenorchy, Hobart, New Norfolk, North Hobart and Sandy Bay. Two clubs from the NTFA namely, North Launceston and South Launceston joined to form an 8 team competition
1987
Northern Tasmanian Football League (NTFL)
The NTFL was formed in the early part of 1987, by both the NTFA and NWFU merging to become the NTFL. This was caused as a result of the TANFL creating a Statewide competition known as the TFL State-Wide League (TSWL) that commenced in 1986.
The TANFL granted the NTFL Second Tiered Status which was retained until 1998. The home base for the NTFL was in central Devonport.
The NTFL participated in the annual Victorian Country Championships, as it happened the exercise was a financial loss, that caused the NTFL to withdraw after three years in 1989. Instead, the NTFL played matches against the TANFL Under 23’s, the Southern Football League and the Tasmanian Amateur State Team.
Teams that participated in NTFL from 1987 included: Burnie, Deloraine, East Devonport, George Town, Latrobe, Launceston, Longford, Penguin, Scottsdale, Smithton, Ulverstone and Wynyard,
1987
Further Change to NTFA
As a result of the TANFL (controlling body in Tasmania) deciding to introduce a State-wide competition in 1986, several clubs from both the NTFA and NWFU had committed to participate. This caused the two Northern bodies (NTFA & NWFU) to form a new body known as the Northern Tasmanian Football League (NTFL).
The inaugural season of the Northern Tasmanian Football League commenced in 1987.
Following the formation of the NTFL, the former NTFA folded in 1986.
1996
NTFA revitalised
There were moves afoot from the former Tasmanian Amateur Football League (Norther Division) that had folded in 1995. It applied in 1996 to use the NTFA name (that had been dormant for 10 years), but was rejected, and as a result the Tasmanian Amateur Football League ran the competition as Northern Amateurs that season.
1997
NTFA two divisions
In 1997 clubs from former Esk-Deloriane Football Association merged into the NTFA and two divisions were created: Division 1 and Division 2.
1997
Northern Tasmanian Football Association (Division 2)
Teams participating at this point in time: Campbell Town, Evandale, Fingal Valley, Old Launcestonians, Old Scotch, Perth, St. Patricks, Tamar & University/Mowbray.
1997
NTFA reformed
In 1997, the name Northern Tasmanian Football Association was granted to be used again.
1997
Northern Tasmanian Football Association (Division 1)
Teams competing were: Bracknel, Bridgenorth, Deloraine, George Town, Hillwood, Longford, Rocherlea, Scottsdale and University-Mowbray.
2007
NTFA Division 1 Club
Teams participating at this point in time: Campbell Town, Evandale, Fingal Valley, Old Launcestonians, Old Scotch, Perth, St Patricks, Tamar & University-Mowbray.
2009
NTFL club changes
With the revival of the State-Wide League in 2009, five Clubs (Burnie, Devonport, Launceston, North Launceston and South Launceston) left the NTFL, which left only six clubs.
Some other clubs from the North and North-West had joined and departed the NTFL and from 2009 the NTFL was solely supported by clubs from the North-West area.
2011
Northern Tasmanian Football Association (Division 1) new club
Lilydale Football Club joined the Association in 2011.
2012
Northern Tasmanian Football Association (Division 1) new club
South-Prospect Hawks Football Club Joined the Association in 2012.
2014
Northern Tasmanian Football Association (Division 1) new club
Meander Valley Football Club Joined the Association in 2014.
2014
Fingal Valley vs Old Scotch match abandoned
n a match played 10th March, 2014, the central umpire caused the match to be abandoned prior to ½ time, due to a fight between players of both teams: Fingal Valley and Old Scotch.
As a result the:
- The match was declared void with no premiership points awarded.
- No best & Fairest votes awarded.
- Fingal Valley was fined $6,000 and forfeited 24 premiership points.
- Old Scotch was fined $4,000 and forfeited 16 premiership points.
- Previous fines from 2013 for each Club was also imposed.
- Until the end of season 2015, 3 Umpires plus a Reserve Umpire will be allocated to all games played between the two Clubs, with additional costs to be split equally between the two Club.
- Until the end of season 2015, all matches between these two Clubs will be videoed from at least 2 angles and the additional cost will be equally shared between the two Clubs.
2017
NEFU final season
The final season had only two teams competing in 12 home-and-away matches and the grand final. Winnaleagh won all games beating Scottsdale Crows.
2017
Northern Tasmanian Football Association (Division 1) new clubs
Both Bridport and East Coast Swans Football Clubs joined the Association in 2017.
2018
NTFA two divisions changes
In 2018 the NTFA made a modest change to its two competitions by altering their titles: Division 1 became Premier Division and Division 2 became Division 1.
2020
Boag’s Shield
In 2020 the NTFA informed its clubs that due to the impact of Coronavirus, the board of management decided to suspend competition for both Premier and Divion 1. However, in the interim, the NTFA had arranged an (opt-in) competition for the season known as the Boag’s Shield.
Clubs from both divisions were given the opportunity to compete.
Rocherlea, Deloraine, Bridgenorth and Bracknell from the Premier Division, and University, Scottsdale, Old Scotch, Old Launcestonians and Meander Valley from Division 1, made-up the competition, that was played at Deloraine Oval. With shorter quarters, finals over two weeks and an equaliser for Division 1 clubs.