Southern Country Junior Football Association (SCJFA)

It’s unsure as to when the Association was either formed or when it ceased, but judging by those clubs below, there is a reasonable possibility that it may have been formed in the very early 1900’s.

The following clubs participated at varying times: Argyle Cadets, Brisbane Rovers, Crescent, Excelsior, Fitzroy, Glenorchy, Imperial, New Town, North Hobart Juniors, Sandy Bay, South Hobart, St. Georges, Standfast, Trinity, Union, Union Jack and West Hobart.

First reported organised game in Hobart

The first newspaper report on an organised game played was when the Mercury gave a short account of a game played between New Town and the Hobart Town Football Club, on Saturday, 26th May 1866 at the Battery Ground in Hobart. The game was conducted over two Saturday’s with the match finishing in a tie, one goal apiece, and a Mr. G. Wright was New Town’s goal scorer. It was a rudimentary affair with each team providing voluntary people to act as umpires and there were no boundary umpires, so when the ball went ‘out-of-bounds’ the closest player to the ball would be deemed the person to throw the ball back into play. Sometimes it would be kicked into play.

Very first reported game in Hobart

A club by the name of New Town was formed in 1864, albeit somewhat dubious as a ‘so called’ club. These were basically groups of men that made up teams that would in turn challenge each other to a game.

On 21st April 1866, 11 members of New Town Football Club played a team of 14 boys from the Hutchins School. The match was the first reported game by the Mercury Newspaper on Tuesday 24th April. The eleven played well considering their want of practice, and for the School, E. Nairn (captain) and J. Buckland, distinguished themselves in all points of the game, while the forward play of Nicholas, a little man, but a ‘big’ player, Fisher, Butler and O’Connor were worthy of mention.

First season of the STFA

In the first season of the STFA there were only six roster matches played, with 15 players per team and New Town had a total of just 27 players to represent the club over the course of the season.

First STFA roster match

City Football Club and New Town Football Club played the very first official game in 1879, under the banner of the STFA. The match took place on 21st June.

First inter-colonial games

In July, Hotham (now North Melbourne) 4.18 (42) defeated a Northern Combined team 0.2 (2) in Launceston.

On Tuesday 5th July, Hotham came to Hobart to play a representative STFA team. The Association team was made-up of players selected from Country Teams namely, Oatlands and Richmond and Hobart based clubs North Hobart, Railway, Cricketers, City and New Town. The STFA won the match, its first win in an Inter-Colonial game 3.15 (33) to Hotham 2.16 (28).

STFL Teams

Southern Tasmanian Football League, its three member clubs namely, New Town, Cananore and University.

Question of New Town joining STFA

The matter of admitting New Town Football Club to the competition was discussed at length, and further consideration postponed pending more information from the suburban club.

New Town reformed

New Town Football Club reformed.

TFL adds fourth team

The TFL include a fourth club, New Town Football Club, into its ranks to complete an even competition, that automatically alleviated the bye of the previous three team competition.

A highlight was the positive result for first comer to the TFL where New Town Football Club won the opening match of the season.

Interstate visits

Two VFL Clubs, Essendon and Carlton came to Hobart in 1926. Essendon played one match against the TFL. Carlton played local TFL club New Town. Game results were : TFL 6.12 (48) defeated Essendon 4.9 (33). After one of the best games seen in recent years Carlton ran out winners 16.10 (106) to New Town 12.8 (80)

South Australian club Norwood also arrived, but did not play a match.

TANFL Best & Fairest

Ken Roberts of the New Town club, won the TANFL Best & Fairest award.

TANFL Best & Fairest

George Cole of the New Town club won the TANFL Best & Fairest award the Wilson Bailey medal.

New Town change of name

New Town changed its name to Glenorchy District Football Club.