Our Saint marches home
ST KILDA’S Mav Weller is home for a visit — but one day says he will be back to stay. Weller, 26, caught up with fans, from left, Oliver Johns, 7, of Prospect, Maddison Youd, 11, of Newstead, and Imogen Gayford, 9, and Ethan Gayford, 12, of Melbourne, after training for the Saints’ clash with Hawthorn in Launceston tonight. “I love coming back, I think eventually I’ll end up down there,” he said yesterday. But Weller’s focus today will be helping the struggling Saints win in his home state.
FOR every $1 spent of Tasmanian money to bring Hawthorn to Launceston almost $8 is returned to the state economy, an economic impact study has found.
A PricewaterhouseCoopers report said the deal to bring the Hawks to Tasmania for four roster games and one pre-season game annually returned $28.5 million to the local economy last year.
However, it is a fall of $1 million on the return from the 2014 economic impact study done by the same company.
The latest report found of 61,301 fans that attended games last season, one in four were from interstate or overseas, with the majority staying for at least one night.
Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman said the report confirmed the value of the state’s partnership with the Hawks.
“The benefits of our partnership with the Hawks clearly go much further than the game-day excitement in Lonnie,” Mr Hodgman said.
“The economic impact amounts to a return on investment of about $7.50 for every $1 we put into the deal.
“Attendance is up and fans are spending more, with an additional injection of $19.8 million into the local economy.
“This is great not only for footy fans, but our broader economy with this cash flowing to accommodation, transport, retail, food and drinks — supporting an estimated 137 jobs.
“While most Tasmanians look forward to seeing a team of our own in the AFL, there is no doubt that the deal with the Hawks continues to deliver significant economic, cultural and social benefits.”
While the deal, which expires at the end of 2021 with great speculation as to what happens next, has been beneficial to the economy, it does not invest any money back into Tasmanian football.
The code has been in crisis since Burnie followed Devonport out of the state league, with clubs across all levels struggling to raise revenue, resulting in the creation of an AFL steering committee help look for solutions.
Hawthorn chief executive Justin Reeves said the results of the study were pleasing for Hawthorn, Tasmania and Launceston.
“We’re extremely proud of our unique and successful, long-term partnership with Tasmania and we are delighted that together we continue to increase visitation to Tasmania and help strengthen the state’s economy,” Reeves said.
He said the club also was committed to having a meaningful impact in the community.
“We’re extremely grateful to the City of Launceston and the Tasmanian Government for their support over the last 17 years and are excited about what we can achieve together in the future.” to