PLAYERS, officials and fans would all benefit from the Tasmanian Devils' relocation from North Hobart Oval to Bellerive Oval in the new year.
That was the strong belief expressed by Football Tasmania general manager Scott Wade and Tasmanian Cricket Association chairman Brent Palfreyman at yesterday's announcement of the VFL club's move.
Wade said both sports had managed to come to an equitable arrangement while protecting their own interests.
"I think it's very significant football and cricket have entered into a genuine partnership,'' he said.
"Especially when you consider that those sports in South Australia and Western Australia have different venues for their major football and cricket.
"Along with the start of our partial alignment with North Melbourne, 2006 is shaping as a hugely defining season for the Devils.''
Palfreyman said it had always been the TCA board's policy for Bellerive to be used the whole year round.
"We have come to a satisfactory arrangement with the Devils which should benefit both parties and later on there may be a chance of us hosting soccer or rugby matches here,'' he said.
"We want the people of Hobart to come along and make the most of the facilities and see good sport.''
The Devils will play seven of their 11 home games at Bellerive, starting with the round four clash against Geelong on Saturday, April 29.
Devils president Guy Abel said the move to Bellerive would greatly improve the Devils' infrastructure and exposure on and off the field.
"Our relocation to Bellerive will bring an improvement in playing and training facilities for the players, which will hopefully result in the team taking that extra step of playing in a grand final,'' Abel said.
He described the move as being a very significant and exciting one in the club's short history.
"The VFL is very competitive and it's essential we continue to strive to improve ourselves and our playing environment,'' Abel said.
While Bellerive is still being used for cricket it has been arranged for the Devils to use the Clarence High School for training.
Clarence, the long-established football tenant at Bellerive, will play Southern Premier League curtain-raisers at Devils games.
By: DAVID STOCKDALE
Last Modified on 30/12/2005 14:20