The RSAC Tassie Hawks Cup returns to UTAS Stadium for two blockbuster gala days on Tuesday 16 September and Wednesday 17 September.
Now in its 16th year, and third year in partnership with the Road Safety Advisory Council (RSAC), it is Tasmania’s only state-wide high school football competition.
Spanning 14 weeks across terms two and three, this year’s competition has involved more than 1800 boys and girls from 114 teams competing across the State.
The RSAC Tassie Hawks Cup uses its state-wide reach and high profile across a mid-teen cohort to deliver safe driving messages and encourage positive driving behaviour as they begin their learner driving journey.
Data shows that while learners are among the safest drivers on the road, crash rates spike dramatically in the first six to 12 months of solo driving, making it one of the riskiest periods in a driver’s life.
Hawthorn CEO Ash Klein said:
“In partnership with RSAC, Hawthorn is incredibly proud to present the Tassie Hawks Cup for its 16th year to highlight the importance of road safety whilst promoting healthy competition within the state.
“The Tassie Hawks Cup is a much-loved event, and as a club, we have enjoyed playing a role in encouraging participation in the game we love and giving boys and girls the chance to lace up on one of the country’s highest-rated AFL playing surfaces.
“As part of this year’s edition, we wish students from the best of luck as they take the field and the wheel - encouraging safe play in sport and safe choices on the road.”
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Kerry Vincent said:
“It has been a dreadful year on our roads, with 32 people killed and over 200 seriously injured.
“We’re still seeing too many young people over-represented in serious and fatal crashes, so by starting conversations with our young people early, we’re trying to build safer habits and support smarter choices from the beginning.
“The Government is deeply committed to improving youth road safety, with an $8 million dollar program currently being developed in partnership with the RACT and supported by the Road Safety Advisory Council.”
RSAC Chair Scott Tilyard said:
“Tasmania’s Graduated Licensing System gives young drivers a strong start through supervised experience, improved training and key restrictions like zero BAC and peer passenger limits.
“But not all Tassie Hawks Cup competitors have begun that journey. Some are just starting out, others are learning.
“This sponsorship allows us to spark early conversations in familiar settings and helps shape positive attitudes and safer habits before the keys are even in hand.”
As part of the gala days, matches are live-streamed and road safety videos will be played during breaks.
Road safety merchandise and educational material will also be distributed to players.
Girls’ Gala Day participants – Tuesday 16 September
St Brendan-Shaw College (North West)
Sacred Heart College (South)
Queechy High (North)
Boys’ Gala Day participants – Wednesday 17th September
Marist Regional College (North West)
St Patrick’s College (North)
MacKillop Catholic College (South)
