Tassie team’s first big AFL step

Tasmania’s AFL team will kick a huge goal in its evolution today when dual sites at Rosny are announced as the location for the club’s $70m high performance centre.

The competition to win the state-of-the-art facility came down to Clarence City Council and Kingborough Council, which each submitted outstanding proposals to host the home of the AFL’s expansion team.

Clarence was chosen for its proximity to the airport, city and Macquarie Point, where Tasmania’s roofed stadium is slated to be built.

The HPC’s administration and training facility, complete with indoor field, will be built on Rosny Parklands, formerly Rosny Golf Course, with an MCG-sized oval alongside.

A second oval will be built across the road at Charles Hand Park, on the city side of Rosny College.

The facility, being built with $60m from the state government and $10m from the AFL, will cater for Tasmania’s AFL and AFLW teams, as well as its VFL and VFLW team, which join that competition in 2025, as well as the Devils Boys and Girls under-18 teams and academy programs.

The development of a high performance centre was identified as a key requirement to support the Tasmanian AFL licence to underpin player retention and is part of the government’s agreement with the AFL.

Minister for Stadia and Events Nic Street said the facility was “vital in setting the club up for success from the outset”.

“The high performance centre would be more than just a place for players to prepare,” he said.

“It will represent a symbol of the club’s ambitions and values.”

The facility is planned to be ready in 2026 to enable the Tasmanian team to prepare for its AFL debut in 2028.