Tasmania AFL team’s new board revealed as premiership Tiger lands special role

The stadium is a key priority for the new board of Tasmania’s AFL club, with its chairman saying his team would work tirelessly on a charm offensive to get politicians and the public over the line on the venue.

Jack Riewoldt Tasmanian AFL player and Alastair Lynch Tasmanian former AFL player at the announcement. AFL team for Tasmania announcement at North Hobart Oval. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Macquarie Point stadium is a key priority for the new board of Tasmania’s AFL club, with chairman Grant O’Brien saying his team would work tirelessly on a charm offensive to get politicians and the public over the line on the venue.

Tasmania Football Club’s nine-member board, made up of men and women from all three regions of the state, met for the first time in Launceston on Wednesday morning before being unveiled publicly at UTas Stadium where the AFL team will likely debut in 2028.

Priority number one, get Macquarie Point stadium built to satisfy the second element of the two-part AFL licence agreement.

TFC AFL Club Inaugural Board of Directors, Chair Grant O'Brien with (Club Ambassador) Julie Kay, James Henderson, Kathy Schaefer, Alastair Lynch, Kath McCann, Alicia Leis, Roger Curtis, (Club Ambassador) Jack Riewoldt, Graeme Gardner and Laura McBain at UTAS Stadium. Picture: Chris Kidd

“Without a stadium, there is no team,” O’Brien said.

“There is work to be done. There are minds to be changed. There is an imperative for us to deliver the stadium It is the role of the board to do that.

“One of the first subcommittees will be aimed at that, so the board has got a direct focus on that.

“We have got many other tasks to perform, but building the infrastructure and ensuring that is in place in time is going to be a big focus for us.”

Richmond’s triple premiership Tassie Tiger Jack Riewoldt was at the announcement and officially named the club’s inaugural employee as ambassador to help form the DNA, and school principal and former Lauderdale Football Club president Julie Kay was named head of the women’s football advisory panel.

TFC AFL Club Inaugural Board of Directors, (Club Ambassador) Jack Riewoldt and junior footballers Harriet Bingley, Ella Nast, Shakaya Blackwell, Sophie Dean, Cooper Field and Sam Husband at UTAS Stadium. Picture: Chris Kidd

Out of 70 applicants, 17 were interviewed and eight joined O’Brien on the board.

“We need this team to be a success off the ground as well as on it,” O’Brien said.

“We’ve had our first board meeting and it was great for the team to come together and to understand the challenges in front of us and agree on how to tackle that.”

The club’s business plan is also a priority, and that will be developed by Christmas.

In the short-term, Tassie fans have the chance to buy a limited new range Believe merchandise in about two weeks.

TFC AFL Club Inaugural Board of Directors, Alastair Lynch, Roger Curtis and Chair Grant O'Brien at UTAS Stadium. Picture: Chris Kidd

The club’s name, colours, emblem, song and memberships will be ready to roll out in March.

“That is all work that is being done, and is something the people of Tasmania have the right to have a say in and want to be part of,” O’Brien said.

“There is much to look forward to and there is much to do.

“The board is a pretty excited bunch and we understand the responsibility we’ve been given, and that is to deliver to the many footy fans and 100,000 believers who have pledged their support for this footy club.

“We are going to deliver on that for you to make this club best in class. For the first class team that we’re looking to put on the ground, we need first class infrastructure.

“That’s going to be a big focus of the board, and part of our role is to make sure that is delivered as part of our undertaking to the AFL.”

Tasmanian AFL team’s inaugural board revealed

September 12: Brisbane’s triple premiership forward Alastair Lynch is one of nine business, sport and community leaders announced as the inaugural board of Tasmania’s AFL club and Tiger legend Jack Riewoldt will help develop the Devils’ DNA.

A 55-year-old Tasmanian, drafted from Hobart by Fitzroy in 1986, Lynch brings sport, business and skills to the table as the board will be introduced publicly for the first at UTAS Stadium in Launceston on Wednesday.

Tasmania chairman Grant O’Brien said his brand new board brought a range of talent.

“We have selected leaders in the fields of finance, commercialisation, leadership, community engagement, infrastructure, football, marketing, media and risk management – all essential skills required to establish a successful and sustainable football club in the AFL/AFLW and a best practice corporate governance platform,” O’Brien said.

Jack Riewoldt, retired Tasmanian AFL player, and Alastair Lynch, Tasmanian former AFL player. AFL team for Tasmania announcement at North Hobart Oval. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

As well as Lynch, the nominations committee, which included O’Brien, AFL CEO-elect Andrew Dillon and former Richmond president Peggy O’Neal, selected:

> Kath McCann (marketing, leadership, wellbeing)

> James Henderson (sports, media, commercialisation)

> Alicia Leis (strategic risk management, finance, audit)

> Roger Curtis (legal, club administration)

> Laura McBain (finance, risk, start-ups, business development)

> Graeme Gardner (Aboriginal advisor, local football administration, community engagement) > Kathy Schaefer (infrastructure, local government).

“Establishing the inaugural board is a significant milestone for the Tasmanian club,” said AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said.

“They will lead the important process of building the foundations, supporting the required infrastructure developments, which are critical conditions of the licence, and building momentum and community engagement through the club establishment phase.

“This is an exciting next step in seeing an AFL and AFLW team representing Tasmania in the national competition.”

Tasmanian AFL Team Chairman Grant O'Brien. Picture: Grant Viney

O’Brien is confident he has the right people to get the party started.

“I am thrilled to be working alongside this group of people, who all have deep personal connections to Tasmania and are proud and passionate about the social and economic benefits that the club will bring to this state by uniting all Tasmanians,” Grant said.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff looks forward to Tasmania’s AFL debut in 2028.

“Our government is committed to setting up our team for success, and it is essential that the club has strong leadership, sound governance and strategic oversight,” he said.

“I look forward to working with the board as we draw closer to making history and seeing our own Tasmanian team run onto the field in their own colours, singing their own song, for the first time in the years ahead.”

The board’s first job is to ratify the appointment of Riewoldt as Devils emissary, and the development of the Women’s Football Advisory Panel.

Riewoldt’s role is to “lead an extensive consultation project with communities, clubs and stakeholders to develop the DNA of the club – a body of work that will be known as The Fabric”.

“The Fabric will represent each and every strand that makes up the rich tapestry of our club, who we are, what we stand for, what we believe in, our history and our collective vision for the future,” Riewoldt said.

“I am excited to be able to play a role in ensuring that the culture of this club is one where every Tasmanian has a sense of connection, belonging and pride.”