The Tasmania Devils have officially launched the Tasmania Devils Academy, a significant milestone in the club’s commitment to developing the next generation of football talent in Tasmania and creating a genuine pathway to the AFL and AFLW.

The inaugural Academy intake will feature 24 of the state’s most promising young footballers, aged between 14 and 17, selected from across Tasmania.

The program has been designed to support athletes both on and off the field, providing elite coaching, education, and development opportunities aligned with AFL and AFLW standards.

Richmond Hall of Famer, Matthew Knights, was appointed as the inaugural Academy Coach in early December last year.

Widely regarded as one of the AFL’s leading development coaches, Knights has added to his 280 games as an AFL player with more than 20 years of elite coaching experience across Geelong, Essendon and most recently West Coast.

The Academy program represents a key step in ensuring Tasmania’s emerging talent can develop within their home state, while preparing for future opportunities at the highest level.

Devils Head of Academy, Matthew Knights, said the program would play an important role in shaping the future of football in Tasmania.

“The program is about giving talented young Tasmanians the opportunity to develop in a professional environment,” Knights said.

“There’s enormous talent here, and our role is to help these athletes grow as footballers and people, while building a clear and strengthening the pathway to the AFL and AFLW.”

The Academy program will focus on skill development, strength and conditioning, education, wellbeing, and leadership, while also connecting participants with Tasmania Devils coaches and staff as the Devils build towards entry into the AFL and AFLW competitions in 2028.

“The recently negotiated concessions of the Tasmanian Development Football Club underscore the Tasmania Devils Academy as a crucial component of our talent acquisition strategy,” said Tasmania Devils Head of Recruiting, Derek Hine.

“This agreement provides TDFC with a four-year window of total access to Tasmanian Academy players.

“There is no doubt that Tasmania is home to a robust ecosystem of talented boys and girls who have the potential to excel at the highest levels of the AFL and AFLW.

“With the support of AFL Tasmania, the Tasmania Devils Academy is dedicated to providing our young athletes with a clear pathway from junior football to elite competition.”

The Academy intake includes players from all regions of Tasmania, reflecting the Devils commitment to statewide talent identification and development.