Hawthorn is proud to be supporting the RSAC Tassie Hawks Cup as it prepares to return to UTAS Stadium for its 17th year.
Proudly delivered in partnership with the Tasmanian Road Safety Advisory Council, the annual tradition will once again feature a girls' footy gala day on Tuesday 29 September, followed by the boys' footy gala day on Wednesday 30 September.
The Tassie Hawks Cup is Tasmania’s only statewide high school football competition and has built a reputation as the most prestigious competition among public and independent schools across the state.
In 2026 alone, more than 2,800 participants from 140 different teams competed across the state's major secondary school competitions.
Of the schools and teams eligible for Tassie Hawks Cup Finals from the respective competitions, close to 1600 students have matched up against local schools for the right to represent their region.
While battling for the Tassie Hawks Cup, the occasion also shares an important message with all participating young Tasmanians.
Data shows that while learners are among the safest drivers on the road, crash rates spike dramatically in the first 6–12 months of solo driving, making it one of the riskiest periods in a driver’s life.
Hawthorn CEO Ash Klein said:
“We are thrilled to be delivering the Tassie Hawks Cup for the 17th year, and the fourth year in partnership with RSAC.
“Through leveraging the reach and visibility of the competition, Hawthorn and the RSAC will deliver safe driving messages to the Tasmanian mid-teen cohort who are about to embark on their learner driving journey.
“We wish all students the best of luck in both their quest to win the Tassie Hawks Cup and the beginning of their journeys on the roads.”
RSAC Chair Scott Tilyard said:
“The energy and enthusiasm from students on the day show just how popular the Tassie Hawks Cup has become.
“With Hawthorn’s support, it gives the Road Safety Advisory Council a powerful opportunity to connect with young people as they start their driving journey or before they even have the keys in hand.
“Community football gives us a powerful way to connect with young people and start conversations about road safety in a setting that resonates with them.
“As part of our Tassie Hawks Cup sponsorship, Hawthorn players record road safety videos, giving us another platform to reinforce important messages and encourage safe choices.
“While serious casualties among 16–25-year-olds have been decreasing, young Tasmanians are still overrepresented in serious crashes.
“They make up just 11 per cent of the population but more than 20 per cent of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.
“That’s why starting these conversations early and helping young people build safe road habits from the beginning is so important.”
Congratulations to all schools competing in this year’s Tassie Hawks Cup!
South (Boys): MacKillop Catholic College
South (Girls): Sacred Heart College
North (Boys): St Patrick’s College
North (Girls): St Patrick’s College
North West (Girls): St Brendan-Shaw College
North West (Boys): Ulverstone Secondary College
