Football Tasmania unveil $80m ‘Home of Football’ plans

Football Tasmania has unveiled the first designs for its proposed $80m ‘Home of Football’ hub. See the exclusive designs here.

Designs of the $80m ‘Home of Football’ hub that Football Tasmania want to establish in Hobart. Picture: Supplied

The future of Tasmanian soccer could be set for a major boost with Football Tasmania unveiling its plans for an $80m hub in Hobart.

The Mercury can exclusively reveal the first plans for the organisation’s ‘Home of Football’ – an $80m hub that would cater for both elite and community football and drive forward the state’s push for men’s and women’s A-League sides.

The southern hub would include six full-sized pitches – three synthetic and three turf – plus four five a-side pitches for all levels of community and elite football, as well as state of the art women’s and men’s change rooms and training facilities.

A possible location for the southern hub is still being explored.

Designs of the $80m ‘Home of Football’ that Football Tasmania want to establish in Hobart showing the main pitches - which would feature a show pitch with a grandstand. Picture: Supplied.

Designs of the $80m ‘Home of Football’ that Football Tasmania want to establish in Hobart showing the main pitches - the four five a-side pitches would also be located at the hub with a carpark. Picture: Supplied.

In addition, the organisation plans to create two $10m hubs in the north and north-west regions with work continuing on those designs.

With over 38,000 participants playing football across the state, Football Tasmania CEO Tony Pignata was hopeful the state government would see the benefits of the three hubs and help to create a level playing field for the sport.

“Right now, we are the poor cousin,” Mr Pignata said.

“The Tasmanian Government invests around $540 into every Tasmanian who plays Australian Rules and around $138 into every basketballer, yet only $19 in a football player.

“A simple levelling of the funding playing field will go a long way to realising our priorities for football in Tasmania, and take football to the next level.”

With so many Tasmanians playing the world game, often there isn’t enough facilities or grounds to cater for the demand and Mr Pignata believes this is why the development of three hubs right across the state is vital for football’s long-term health in Tasmania.

“It’s an exciting time for football in Tasmania, it’s growing fast, and our footballers need more pitches and better facilities,” he said.

“Football is Tasmania’s most played team sport. There’s already 38,000 participants, and that’s tipped to grow by 20 per cent in coming years.

“Football’s popularity is not only because of our inspirational Matildas, but because it’s one of the safest sports our kids can play, it encourages an active lifestyle, and creates a strong sense of community.

“It’s now more important than ever to ensure football has the pitches and facilities it needs for the long term.

“That’s why Football Tasmania has a plan for three regional hubs, and is working with the State Government to secure funding to deliver the ‘Home of Football’ in the south, and the north and north-west regional hubs.”

Football Tasmania CEO Tony Pignata. Picture: Linda Higginson.

While the potential development of an elite football precinct would go a long way towards Tasmania’s long awaited entry into the national competition, football fans will get the chance to see A-League action in Hobart for a second-straight week.

After drawing in 3850 fans for last week’s clash against Western Sydney, Western United will once again host games at North Hobart Oval with a double-header scheduled for Saturday.

The women’s side will kick off the action at 2.15pm against the Central Coast Mariners before the men’s side face off against Sydney FC at 5pm.

Tickets for both games are still available.