FOOTBALL, the kind played with a round ball, has an exciting future in Australia, and it is time for Tasmania to join the revolution.

The consortium looking at the possibility of the state having an A-League team deserves community and State Government support.

The success of the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League shows Tasmanians turn out in big numbers to support their home team at the top level of national sport.

An A-League team, and a W-League team, would be a boon for the state and the competition, and it appears a bid would be treated seriously by the governing body.

This stands in stark contrast to the ongoing shafting that Tasmania receives from the AFL.

A Tasmanian team in the men’s and women’s AFL is a dream held dear by many, but the current administration continues to treat our state with dismissive contempt.

There is no clear plan in the AFL or State Government for a stand-alone Tassie team, either men’s or women’s. This will not change while there is a lack of leadership from the Government, and a lack of interest from the AFL. But this vacuum is an opportunity for the Football Federation of Australia. While the FFA has been coy in its plans for expansion, there is nothing to suggest a compelling Tassie bid would not win them over.

There are already some very encouraging signs for the round ball code in Tasmania.

The sport’s following, while not rivalling Aussie Rules, is strong. Participation is growing at a junior and senior level. This year, Devonport Strikers reached the round of 16 at the FFA Cup, only denied a quarter-final spot by a highly credentialled Melbourne side scoring a goal in extra time. More than 3100 people turned out for the clash.

A-League games involving mainland clubs have drawn crowds of more than 8000 people in the past — and 8000 Tassie kids under the age of 12 are already playing the sport, double the figure of South Australia, who are represented with Adelaide teams in the

A-League and W-League.

Imagine how much that number would grow if those children had the chance to see regular top-flight football in their own backyard, with homegrown Tassie heroes striding the national stage.

What would it do for the confidence of these young men and women to know they can reach the highest level without having to ship off to the north island.

There would also be an economic benefit to creating A-League and W-League teams, as more visiting fans are drawn to Tasmania.

There are wider social benefits of encouraging participation in sport, such as health and wellbeing, as well as strengthening community ties.

Because it is truly the world game, football is a universal language and can be a great way for recent migrants to Tasmania to feel welcome and part of the community.

The brilliant story of Hobart United FC and its commitment to multiculturalism and welcoming new migrants shows the positive impact sporting teams can have.

Why shouldn’t we as Tasmanians aim to have the very best in our state?

Our clean and green home already leads Australia and the world in many ways. For that to continue, we need to dream big and think even bigger.

The notion Tasmania will only ever care about the native football code and not the world game is part of what gives the AFL the arrogant belief the state will always be happy with buying in a few games that would not draw big crowds in Victoria. Healthy competition from the

A-League should prompt the AFL to pull its proverbial finger out, and treat AFL fans in Tasmania with respect.

Perhaps if they saw Tasmanians embrace a home-grown A-League team, we would get half the attention and funding that has been lavished on Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney.

As Tasmanian AFL teams are being kicked further from sight, it is time for our state to start embracing sports that will at least take us seriously.

A-League and W-League teams would be a great place to start.

Nick McKim is a Greens senator for Tasmania.