A premiership moment for Clarence with AFL high performance centre moving in

Official announcement of facility presents suburb with a chance to forge a place of envy on the sporting landscape, says Brendan Blomeley

Published in the Mercury on Saturday, 23 December 2023 (see here) .

Friday was a great day for the City of Clarence. For our city, it was the equivalent of winning the premiership.

I was thrilled when news came through that the Tasmanian Government had chosen our city to be the home of the Tasmania Football Club.

The opportunity this provides us is enormous and game changing for our city. An AFL High Performance Centre in Clarence will deliver social and economic benefits to the city like we have never seen before.

For every young child in Tasmania dreaming of making their AFL or AFLW debut, this state-of-the-art facility will be a beacon of inspiration and drive to achieve that goal.

Football is a great medium for generating conversation, finding common ground, and breaking down social and cultural barriers and there are many examples of the fantastic community engagement, outreach and advocacy programs run by AFL clubs. Having Tasmania’s equivalent to programs like North Melbourne’s ‘The Huddle’, or Collingwood’s ‘Magpie’s nest’ on our doorstep and active in our community will provide a valuable service to Clarence and beyond.

The potential pathway and educational benefits a High Performance Centre on the old golf course could provide students at Rosny College is limitless – athlete development students learning from experienced AFL physios and trainers, media studies students learning from the footy media department, or opportunities for hospitality students to provide services whilst gaining valuable practical experience. The proximity of the Centre to Rosny College could see the College become one of the most sought-after educational institutions in the state with programs working with stars of the Tasmania Football Club.

This decision cements Clarence as the sporting capital of Tasmania. With the AFL High Performance Centre in Rosny, together with cricket programs at Blundstone Arena in Bellerive, we have Tasmania’s elite sporting talent in and around the heart of our city, inspiring our next generation, engaging with our youth, our schools and community.?

Housing the main administration and training facility in the old golf course will active the space like never before. From Rosny Barn, people will move through a beautiful cultural park on their way to watch their new Tasmania Football Club heroes train, which will be surrounded by a wild park and community walking tracks.

The investment from the Tasmanian Government in this space will allow us the ability to design and build something truly wonderful for our community, that will be a source of pride for generations.

There is also no denying the huge economic benefits that will flow to the immediate area.

Along with the $70 million investment in building the facility, there will be flow-on effects for local businesses, jobs opportunities and the delivery of services that will see Rosny and surrounds become a highly desired location for doing business in Greater Hobart.

The securing of the Centre in Rosny also increases the potential for Bellerive and the further development of Kangaroo Bay Drive. As the Derwent Ferry network expands and Bellerive becomes more accessible by foot, I can envisage a day when the walk from the ferry terminal to watch our AFL team train will take you past coffee shops, restaurants, and boutique outlets, and play spaces filled with families, before you reach the wonderful Rosny Barn and cultural park, and onto the best training facility in the AFL.

With the decision on the Centre now made, Clarence City Council will revisit our City Heart Plan in the new year and look to create a space around the High Performance Centre that will make the Clarence CBD the envy of all other cities in the state.

On a personal note, in my opinion this decision is the best thing to happen to our city in decades. Our proposal to the Tasmanian Government was the result of many months of hard work, negotiation and deliberation by Councillors and council staff, and I thank them for their fantastic efforts in making this a reality for the people of Clarence. Our community overwhelmingly supported the High Performance Centre being built in Clarence, and that is what has been delivered.

Brendan Blomeley is the Mayor of the City of Clarence.