Hawks Bring Tasmania ANZAC Day Honour

24 April 2009

Tasmania will be a part of one of the most anticipated days on the AFL fixture as it prepares to host Hawthorn and West Coast at Aurora Stadium tomorrow night.

The Minister for Tourism, Michelle O’Byrne said the game would be the first time Aurora Stadium had hosted an AFL game on ANZAC Day.

“Tasmania is honoured and excited to be able to host an AFL game at Aurora Stadium on ANZAC Day – Australia’s most significant national day and one of the most highly anticipated game days on the AFL calendar.

“Tomorrow night’s match will be played in tribute to those Australians who lost their lives serving their country.

“The history of Aussie Rules on ANZAC Day goes to the heart of Australian spirit and culture.”

Ms O’Byrne said the Hawthorn and West Coast game will also be the first AFL home and away fixture played under lights at Aurora Stadium.

“The 2008 AFL season was extremely successful for the Premiership winning Hawks and that on-field success has helped have a positive economic impact for Tasmania,” Ms O’Byrne said.

“The Hawthorn sponsorship generated $15.14 million for the Tasmanian economy in 2008, and we also welcomed approximately 24,000 additional tourists to Tasmania as a direct result of matches played at Aurora Stadium last year, with each person spending around $220 per day and staying for an average of 3.2 nights.”

Ms O’Byrne said the Tasmanian partnership had had fantastic benefits for Hawthorn too, with the Hawks becoming the first Victorian football club to reach 50,000 members.

“A record 13 per cent of Hawthorn members are Tasmanians, due in no small part to the success of the Government’s sponsorship and the benefits this brings to the whole community,” Ms O’Byrne said.

The Hawthorn v West Coast game is the first of four AFL Premiership Season fixtures to be played at Aurora Stadium in 2009, with Brisbane, the North Melbourne Kangaroos and St Kilda also taking on the Hawks during the season.

Further information: Sam Adams: 6233 3858