In one of the most significant infrastructure milestones since the Club's formation, construction is set to begin on Oval 3 at the Kingborough Sports Precinct – a facility that will serve as the Devils' secondary training venue and the new home of the Kingborough Tigers Football Club.
The Devils’ High Performance Centre development has two critical pieces of work involved in making it a reality. This first parcel of work that will shortly commence represents another major step in the lead into the Devils’ inaugural AFL and AFLW season in 2028.
Oval 3 will be a shared, high-quality facility, serving as the Kingborough Tigers’ primary training venue and a secondary training base for the Devils.
Tasmanian construction company Batchelor Construction Group has been awarded the tender process and will deliver this key project for the Club.
Tasmania Devils Chief Executive Brendon Gale is delighted to see works on Oval 3 begin this week.
“Today marks another significant step on our road to 2028,” said Gale.
“What we're building here goes well beyond our Club. It's laying the foundations for future generations of Tasmanian football and community engagement.
“Oval 3 will give our athletes an elite environment to develop, while ensuring the Kingborough Tigers, a club with a proud history, continue to have a home they’re proud of.”
Acting Minister for Sport, Gavin Pearce, said this marks a major step forward in establishing Tasmania’s first AFL and AFLW teams and delivering community infrastructure.
“Oval 3 will be a high quality, shared facility that strengthens community sport while supporting the development of our inaugural Devils teams,” Minister Pearce said.
“This project is part of a once in a generation investment that will elevate Tasmanian football and create a lasting legacy for players, clubs and communities across the state.”
Acting Kingborough Mayor Christian Street said the project reflected a strong partnership between local government, the state and the Devils.
“We are excited about what this project will mean for the future of sport in Kingborough and the opportunities it will create for our community,” Acting Mayor Street said.
“The new oval will provide a home for the Kingborough Tigers while also delivering a valuable community asset that will benefit local players, clubs and the wider community for years to come.”
Kingborough Tigers Football Club President Dan Wylie welcomed the news, with the upgrade set to deliver a new home ground and improved facilities for the club.
“This is another landmark moment in the history of the Kingborough Tigers Football Club,” Wylie said.
“Having a dedicated, high-quality facility at Oval 3 which we will operate year-round ensures our players, coaches, volunteers and supporters have an environment that supports both performance and development, while preserving the strong community spirit which has defined our Club for 140 years.
“We are incredibly proud to be part of a project that not only secures a new home for our Senior club, but contributes to the growth of football in Southern Tasmania alongside the Tasmania Devils whilst also cementing Kingborough as the sports capital of the state.”
Oval 3 will be owned by Kingborough Council and is scheduled for completion in late 2027, with work on the broader AFL High Performance Centre expected to begin in the coming months.
Tasmania Football Club expects to make an announcement shortly around the awarding of the project to construct the Club’s High Performance Centre.