Jack Riewoldt back to rally the troops at North Hobart Oval for Tasmania’s own AFL team

Former Richmond star Jack Riewoldt is spreading the gospel of a Tassie AFL team through footy clinics to inspire the next generation of players and supporters.

Tasmanian football champion Jack Riewoldt at North Hobart Oval. Picture: Chris Kidd

Build it and they will come.

Tasmania Football Club ambassador Jack Riewoldt returned to North Hobart Oval on Monday to help inspire the next generation of AFL players and supporters at a footy clinic attended by hundreds of children and parents.

The recently retired Richmond forward has been touring the state at community events over the summer spreading the gospel about the AFL’s 19th team, and getting feedback from the locals about what a homegrown side will mean for the island.

Riewoldt said that wherever he went in the state, he detected a sense of excitement among youngsters about the future of Tasmanian football.

“A lot of them have asked me why I’m not playing anymore, but it’s all just been good fun,” Riewoldt said.

Tasmania AFL Club Clinic, Mason Cane 8, Mavis Bester 8 and Alice Kennedy 8 at North Hobart Oval. Picture: Chris Kidd

“They all know that we’ve got a 19th licence, and know that they are going to be able to play sport here in Tassie.

“As a football club, obviously we are right at the start of our journey.

“And it’s days like today that you realise that this is the next generation of Tasmanians who are going to support the football club, and hopefully play for it as well.”

Riewoldt said that it was vital that a future Tasmanian club was backed by residents right across the state, and was built on the solid foundation of community values.

“I have spoken plenty of times about the fact that we need to make this the biggest community sporting team in the country, or even the world,” he said.

Former AFL star Jack Riewoldt will also pull the boot on for his old club Clarence in the TSL in 2024. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“And if you want to be an extension of your people, then you have to actually go out and see what the people want to be, who they are, how they function, and what makes them tick.

“One of the great things about Tasmania is that people are comfortable having their say about issues, and clearly the stadium is one that people are divided on.

“But we see it as a pivotal part of both the sporting and business industries of Tasmania.

“The ethos of ‘build it and they will come’ is one that we are attracted to.”

A proud product of Hobart Eastern shore and no stranger to the fairways of the former Rosny Golf Course, Riewoldt said that he was excited about what the prime parcel of land will eventually look like once the Tasmanian side’s high performance centre is eventually constructed there.

Eight-year-old Alice Kennedy was one of the hundreds of children drawn to sunny North Hobart Oval on Monday to take part in some skills work and hear from Riewoldt.

“I like kicking the footy because it’s really fun and my kicks go really high,” Alice said.

“I also like AusKick, although I have only done it once.”

Further community events are planned for Oatlands, Scottsdale, and Launceston over the next week.