Hawks Bring Prized ANZAC Day Game to Tassie in 2010

30 October 2009

Tasmania will again be part of one of the most anticipated days on the AFL fixture with the announcement today it will host the Hawthorn and North Melbourne game at Aurora Stadium on ANZAC Day.

The Minister for Tourism and the Arts, Michelle O’Byrne said Tasmania was honoured to once again be holding an AFL game on Australia’s most significant national day.

“This year 17,880 footy fans attended the ANZAC Day game at Aurora Stadium,” said Ms O’Byrne.

“AFL fans across the country will be eagerly booking their trips to Tasmania with the release of the 2010 AFL Fixture today.

“In addition to the Sunday 25 April game against North Melbourne, Hawthorn will play three more Tasmanian home games at Aurora Stadium including games against 2009 finalists Brisbane and Adelaide,” she said.

Hawthorn will take on Adelaide Crows on Saturday 12 June, Brisbane Lions on Saturday 17 July and Fremantle Dockers on Saturday 21 August.

“The Round 16 game against Brisbane is sure to be a blockbuster, with new recruit Brendan Fevola joining Jonathon Brown at the Lions.

“Earlier this week it was announced that the preseason NAB Cup would see the Hawks take on Richmond in a twilight game at Aurora Stadium on Saturday 13 February.

“This match will add to a big weekend for the State’s North, coinciding with the annual Festivale food and wine festival in Launceston,” she said.

The Tasmanian Government is about to commence the fourth year of its five-year naming rights sponsorship agreement with the Hawthorn Football Club.

“The Tasmania-Hawthorn partnership delivers benefits across many areas of government, industry and business sectors, and the wider community.

“According to independent Repucom analysis, the Hawthorn sponsorship generated $15.14 million for the Tasmanian economy in 2008, with $7.79 million of this in direct expenditure,” Ms O’Byrne said.

In 2008 Tasmania welcomed approximately 24,000 additional tourists to Tasmania as a direct result of matches played at Aurora Stadium – each person spending around $220 per day and staying for an average of 3.2 nights.

“The Tasmanian partnership has had fantastic benefits for Hawthorn too with the Hawks becoming the first Victorian football club to reach 50,000 members.

“A record 14 per cent of Hawthorn members are Tasmanians, up 77 per cent on the same time last year.”

Rohan Wade (03) 6336 2443 or 0417 051 255