That is the message from the region’s Australian Rules Football officials after Sunday night’s decision to rename the game’s premier competition.

Say bye bye to the Tamworth AFL and hello to AFL North West.

First officially put on the table in May 2016, the decision to adopt a new moniker was passed 80 per cent to 20 during a vote staged at an extraordinary board meeting in Gunnedah.

League president Adrian Walsh described the move as affirmation of the sport’s growth throughout the New England and North West regions.

“When the league started it was a Tamworth competition, but it has now outgrown its origins,” Walsh said.

“We wanted a name to reflect where the league is at now with clubs not just in Tamworth, but Armidale, Moree, Narrabri, Inverell and Gunnedah.

“It is an important step forward for the league, although we do appreciate there is sadness for some being sentimental with the old name.

“We feel AFL North West gives us a stronger identity and is certainly more representative of the region we all live in.”

“The standard of footy is improving each year and growing.”

The name is the only change, with the history and associated league medals associated with the Tamworth AFL since the league was re-born in 1997, now coming under the AFL North West banner.

As a result, the by-laws and policies of the competition will be changed from TAFL to read AFLNW.

“Or NWAFL depending on what we’ll refer to the league as,” Walsh said.

“There will be a couple of teething issues initially, but nothing we can’t overcome.”

Preparations are well underway for the 2017 season and the league’s seven clubs – New England Nomads, Tamworth Swans, Tamworth Kangaroos, Moree Suns, Gunnedah Bulldogs, Inverell Saints and Narrabri Eagles.

Moree has been a member of the region’s AFL landscape since 2015, winning one game during the club’s inaugural season and two during 2016, enough to avoid the wooden-spoon.

The Suns are staging the club’s annual general meeting on January 29 at the Victoria Hotel from 3pm, with all positions vacant.

Walsh added the dates for the upcoming campaign had been confirmed during an ordinary board meeting.

“The opening round of the new AFL North West season will be on April 1 and the grand final has been locked in for September 8,” he said.

“We’re playing two and a half rounds across 18 weeks, so some clubs will have two byes and others will have three.”