The Tasmania Devils are proud to announce the introduction of the Cameron Baird Medal, to be awarded annually to the best Tasmanian player on ANZAC Day, with the inaugural medal to be presented this Saturday night against Carlton.   

Named in honour of Corporal Cameron Baird VC, MG, the medal recognises not only on-field excellence, but the values of courage, selflessness and service that sit at the heart of the ANZAC spirit.

Born in Burnie, Baird served with distinction in the Australian Army, including deployments to East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan. 

The son of Kaye and former Carlton player and Cooee Football Club champion, Doug Baird OAM, Cameron was a proud Tasmanian who was a talented junior footballer in his own right, representing the Calder Cannons and Geelong in the VFL. 

Doug Baird OAM was pleased to see his son being acknowledged with the Cameron Baird Medal this weekend. 

"On behalf of the Baird family, I'd like to take the opportunity to thank the Tasmania Devils for allowing us to work with them to introduce the Cameron Baird Medal this weekend,” Baird said. 

"Our history with football in the state through myself, and Cameron being born there, made sense for us to work together. 

"We are delighted to have this association take place and look forward to maintaining a strong partnership with the Devils.”  

Cameron Baird was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia, the nation’s highest military honour, for his extraordinary courage and sacrifice in Afghanistan in 2013.  

Known among his peers for his humility, leadership and unwavering commitment to others, Baird embodied the qualities that define both military service and elite sport.  

Devils CEO, Brendon Gale said the introduction of the medal is a meaningful way to honour the ANZAC’s and Baird’s legacy through football, the game he loved. 

“Honouring a Burnie-born Tasmanian hero on ANZAC Day, the one day on the football calendar dedicated to service, sacrifice and the things that matter well beyond the scoreboard is entirely consistent with who we are and what we stand for,” Gale said. 

“Kaye and Doug Baird approached us directly and have offered to donate a replica of the full-size statue of Cameron that stands at the Palm Beach/Currumbin RSL.   

“The perpetual trophy will be held by the club, with each winner to receive a personal medal to keep.”

The Cameron Baird Medal will ensure his story continues to inspire players, staff and supporters across Tasmania.