Football world beware, the Devils are back with bite in dawn of new Tasmanian era
FROM now on, all Tasmanian representative football teams — men’s, women’s, boys and girls — will be known as the Devils after an overwhelming public vote backed the return of the state’s largest carnivore as the team name.
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THE Devils are officially back. From now on, all Tasmanian representative football teams — men’s, women’s, boys and girls — will be known as the Devils after an overwhelming public vote backed the return of the state’s famous marsupial as the team name.
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The result was the equivalent of a 10-goal win for the Devils, securing 74.4 per cent of the vote, ahead of the Mariners (12.29 per cent), Storm (7.51), Mavericks (3.41) and Warriors (2.39).
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AFL Tasmania chief executive Trisha Squires welcomed the return of the iconic brand.
“Tasmania voted and the Tasmania Devils are back,” Ms Squires said.
“We wanted the name to be decided and owned by Tasmania and it has been very clear that Tasmania wants the Devils back.
“It is a really exciting time and I think the announcement of the return of the Tassie Devils name will bring joy to a lot of Tasmanian football fans.”
The Devils was the name of the state’s VFL team from 2001 to 2008 but Squires said this was not just a nod to history.
“It is a return of the Devils but it is also a new era with a fresh brand and we look forward to officially launching the Tasmania Devils with a guernsey unveiling in 2019,” she said.
“I think the new logo screams Tasmania, the centre piece is a Devil that is uniquely Tasmanian and speaks to the tenacity of Tasmanians on the instantly recognisable image of our map, all using Tasmania’s traditional colours. I really like it and can’t wait to see it on the footy field.
“This brand will be represented in all Tasmanian football teams and I think it is going to bring a lot to Tasmanian football for players and fans.”
The new logo definitely got the tick of approval from Lauderdale Junior Football Club’s Sophie Mead.
“The Devil is being fierce like Tassie,” Sophie, 11, said.
Her teammate Gracie Bradburn agreed.
“The Tasmanian Devils is a native animal to Tasmania so it represents Tasmania — I like it,” Gracie, 12, said.
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