ON A historic day for the AFL and the state of Tasmania, the Tasmania Football Club has revealed its name, logo, guernsey and colours and launched foundation memberships ahead of entering the AFL and AFLW competitions.
Tasmania's team will be known as the 'Devils' and wear the state's traditional myrtle green, primrose yellow and rose red colours, with the iconic map of the island and 'T' to be emblazoned across the front of the club's foundation jumper.
The announcement was made on Monday evening as the Tasmanian community rallied behind their new club and celebrated the historic occasion. Six club launch events took place in Devonport, Hobart, Launceston, Oatlands, Queenstown and St Helens while an additional 20 community venues opened their doors to host live stream parties across the state.
Extensive community engagement and consultation took place to inform the name, colours, logo and guernsey of the Devils, ensuring Tasmanians played a significant role in bringing to life their new club.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon, who was in Devonport for the announcement, said: "It is incredibly exciting for Tasmanians and for the game of Australian rules football to finally see the name, colours, logo and jumper of the AFL's 19th club on what is a truly historic day for the state of Tasmania.
"Tasmania has waited to have its own team competing in the national competition for a long time and the passion and excitement shown by so many Tasmanians who gathered to celebrate this major milestone shows how much the Devils will mean to the state.
"Tasmanian boys, girls, men and women who dream of playing AFL and AFLW football can now aspire to play for the Devils on the national stage in the state’s iconic jumper and colours. To watch the Devils run out for their first games in the AFL and AFLW competitions wearing the famous map on a jumper that represents the long, rich history of famous victories and players produced by the heartland football state, will be a moment of immense pride for so many.
"I thank all those who have dedicated an extraordinary amount of time, effort and passion towards bringing the Devils to life, including the Tasmanian Government led by Premier Jeremy Rockliff, the Tasmanian Football Club Board led by Chair Grant O’Brien and Executive Director Kath McCann and all those Tasmanians who have rallied behind their club and helped to take a big step forward in making the Devils a reality."
Tasmania Football Club Chair, Grant O'Brien, said: "It has been a truly special moment in our state's football history with thousands of Tasmanians joining in the cheers and tears as we, together, unveiled our club.
"From Nubeena to King Island, Devonport to Swansea, Tasmanians in all corners of the state celebrated and revelled in the excitement of our club's historic launch.
"Football really is a community connector and that couldn't have been truer across Tasmania tonight.
"In launching the club we have revealed our colours, our name, our character, our Foundation Jumper and our Founding Memberships.
"These elements have been shared by a range of community members right across Tasmania at six live events, 20 live stream sites, and in many living rooms right across the country."
Founding memberships can be purchased at www.tasmaniafc.com
The AFL Commission awarded Tasmania the 19th licence based on conditions in May last year, when the AFL signed binding commitments with the Tasmanian Government that committed to delivering on those conditions, including partnering with the Federal Government for the construction of a 23,000-seat roofed stadium at Macquarie Point.
The Devils men’s team is expected to enter the AFL competition in the 2028 Toyota AFL Premiership Season, with a proposed timeline for a women’s Devils team’s entry into the NAB AFLW Competition being worked through.
