Facelift just in time for grand old girl

SHE’S the grand old girl of Tasmanian football and it is the rise of women’s footy that has helped North Hobart Oval receive a $1.26 million makeover.

The ground’s redevelopment — including new kiosk, coolroom, roofed terrace areas and AFL-compliant coaches and media boxes — was officially opened yesterday just in time for today’s AFLW clash between the North Melbourne-Tasmanian Kangaroos and the Adelaide Crows.

North Hobart Football Club president Craig Martin said there was no doubt the explosion in female footy from Auskick to AFLW had helped in the spiritual home of Tasmanian football finally receiving the upgrade.

“Certainly the boom in women’s football has helped, there is no doubt about that,” Martin said. “The ground is used a lot by a lot of different groups and a lot of different organisations, including boys and girls playing footy.

“It is an important part of developing participation in the game in southern Tasmania.”

While the ground is in constant use during the winter, Martin said the club was aiming for more events.

“Given that it is such a great venue to watch sport at and its proximity to the central business district of Hobart, I think there could be more events here like for example the rugby league, rugby union and A-League soccer perhaps in the future,” he said.

The $1.26 million upgrade came courtesy of all levels of government and a grant from the AFL, with the Federal Government supplying the bulk of the funding with $830,000.

Today’s game starts at 3.10pm, with the Devils to make their NAB League girls debut against the Oakleigh Chargers from 12.30pm.