Football Tasmania seeking support on $80m project for Home of Football

New data has revealed why Football Tasmania needs more support from all levels of government to help build a new $80m home base for the sport. See the figures and the reason for the push.

Football Tasmania is seeking support for a Home of Football.

Football Tasmania boss Tony Pignata believes new participation figures are the case for why the sport needs a home base.

The state’s governing body has previously proposed two sites in Clarence at either Wentworth Park in Howrah or the Hobart International Business Park near Hobart Airport for the $80m base but need funding from the state and federal governments.

New figures from Football Australia released on Thursday revealed Tasmania had seen a five per cent increase in participants in 2024 to over 31,200 including outdoor soccer, futsal and school programs.

There was a three per cent growth in the outdoor code, of which 28 per cent are females.

Football Tasmania revealed in November last year the site would include six full-sized pitches (three synthetic and three turf), four five-asides pitches for community games. state of the art changerooms and training facilities for men and women, administration headquarters and carparking.

“We are so thrilled to be a part of a thriving national football community and welcome this report, which confirms what we already know – Tasmanians love our football, and the sport continues to grow,” Football Tasmania chief executive Tony Pignata said.

“What we need now is for our governments to help provide us with the facilities we need to support this continued growth.”

Artist’s portrayal of the site. Supplied by Football Tasmania.

Pignata said success of state teams at a national level had proven with the right support, developing a successful site is possible.

“The success of our Tasmanian teams, such as the (Tasmania) JackJumpers in the NBL and the (Hobart) Hurricanes in the BBL, show what is possible with the support of local and state governments,” he said.

“We strive for an elite football presence in the national A-League competition, to rightfully take our place on the national stage and to provide a complete pathway for our footballers who aspire to play professionally.

“Our governments have supported our clubs with upgrades for local facilities, and now we need a facility that will benefit the entire football community in Tasmania.”

Other figures in the report revealed Tasmania has 830 volunteers, 154 registered referees and 1497 registered coaches.

The MiniRoos program continues to be popular with over 9000 participants last year.