Media Release

The RACT – a major sponsor of the AFL in Tasmania - has welcomed this week’s state tour by the AFL’s North Melbourne football team. 

Members of the  team fly in tomorrow (Wednesday), and community activities will include a visit to Port Arthur, the Sandy Bay Regatta, and a community football clinic at the North Hobart Oval (Saturday 28 January). 

“One of the key reasons the RACT sponsors AFL is the opportunity it provides to engage more young Tasmanians,” said the RACT’s Trent Sayers. “As a traditional supporter of football across Tasmania for many years, the RACT is well aware that AFL brings communities together right around the state in a passionate common interest.” 

“We welcome and encourage greater links between the AFL and Tasmania because it strengthens the push for Tasmania to achieve the great ambition of fielding its own AFL team.” 

The RACT will be supporting the community football clinic on Saturday with a free sausage sizzle at North Hobart Oval. 

“Recent crowd support for the Hobart Hurricanes Big Bash games in Hobart demonstrates that Tasmanians embrace the opportunity to see top class sport on home soil. It’s also good for the economy.” 

The RACT has been advised that the two games North Melbourne will play in Hobart each year will be worth more than $3 million per game in economic benefit to the state. 

Mr Sayers said the RACT was looking forward to North Melbourne’s first game at Bellerive on 8 April. “We’re already getting a great response from RACT members to prizes and packages we’re offering for the game.” 

The RACT’s support for AFL is state wide and based upon four key reasons 

• It’s a positive force in the general community
• It provides opportunities for RACT members
• It is good for the economy, especially in the winter months
• Increasing links between the AFL and Tasmania brings closer the day when Tasmania fields its own AFL side 

For further information: Trent Sayers on 0401 993 926