The district of Clarence, separated from Hobart by the Derwent River, has been a home of football for well over a hundred years. The first known game was in 1884 when local side, Bellerive, played a challenge match against VFA side Carlton. Over the next sixty years or so Bellerive continued to engage in matches against local opposition.
During World War Two a floating bridge was built connecting the eastern and western banks of the Derwent. The Clarence region was now minutes from the centre of Hobart, and it was not long before major new housing developments sprang up and the population escalated.
The Bellerive Football Club committee made the strategically astute decision to alter the club name to Clarence District Football Club and achieved admission to the Tasmanian Football League (TFL) in 1947, along with New Norfolk. At this same time the Clarence District Football Club members decided to adopt the kangaroo emblem, on the grounds that "you never see a kangaroo going backwards".
The Clarence District Football Club enjoyed their first premiership era in the early 1970s with 3 consecutive grand final appearances under the coaching of John Bingley and culminating with their first TFL flag in 1970.
The Roos second premiership era was achieved between 1979 and 1985 with 2 victories over Glenorchy in some of the most memorable grand finals in Tasmanian football, including the 1979 TFL Centenary Grand Final.
With the arrival of the first statewide league in Tasmania in the mid-1980s, Clarence struggled for some years before emerging under the coaching of ex-Sydney Swans player, Steve Wright. Season 1993 began a truly ‘platinum era’ for the Roos. At the time of writing the Club has played in every finals series since the drought breaking 1993 season with a total of 11 premierships achieved from 15 grand final appearances.
The Clarence District Football Club deservedly takes its place amongst the ‘Great Clubs’ of Tasmanian football and the official induction will take place on Friday 8 July at the Hall of Fame gala function at Wrest Point Casino.
Last Modified on 30/05/2011 08:52