1879
First organised senior football competition in Hobart
The first organised senior football competition in Hobart, known as the Southern Tasmanian Football Association (STFA) was established on 21st June, 1879. the association adopted Melbourne rules and matches were played on upper and lower cricket grounds and on the old battery ground. other clubs to join the new competition were: Holebrook, Cricketers, Railway and City.
1879
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.
1879
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.
1879
No grand-final played
Where there is a reference to ‘No grand-final played’ applied to rules of the game at that time. Where a team with a substantial points lead at the conclusion of roster matches, was declared the Premier.
1879
STFA Premier
No grand-final played. City Football Club was declared Premier.
1880
STFA Premier
No grand-final played. Cricketers Football Club was declared Premier.
1881
STFA Premier
No grand-final played. Railway Football Club was declared Premier.
1882
Essendon visited Tasmania
Visiting VFA club Essendon, played four matches in Tasmania.
Match No. 1, Wednesday 23rd August 1882 Essendon played a Northern Tasmanian team, selected from Launceston clubs plus Ross and Longford clubs. The game was played on what was known as the 'Western Swamp'. Essendon scored 8 goals to Northern Tas. 2 goals.
Match No. 2, Saturday 26th August, Essendon played a combined STFA team in Hobart. Essendon won 6.15 (51) to STFA 2.18 (30).
Match No. 3, played 3rd September in Hobart (first ever Tasmanian team) the team was chosen from the North, North West and South of the State Tasmania v Essendon. Scores Essendon 6.27 (63) to Tasmania 1.8 (14).
Match No. 4, before heading back to Victoria, Essendon played a match against the Oatlands Association. The local side was made-up from Oatlands, Ross and Richmond players, with two players invited from Launceston and two from the STFA. making-up a 23 player list. Essendon won 8 goals to 2.
1883
North v South Games
North v South games commenced on an official basis, and the first of these combined games was won by the South: 6.18 (54) defeated North: 1.10 (16).
1884
Waving of White Flags
Both the Southern Tasmanian Football Association and Northern Tasmanian Football Association introduced the waving of white flags to signal either a goal or point by goal umpires.
1886
STFA buys Risdon Ground
The STFA purchased the Risdon Ground for £650/-/- ($1300.00).
The Risdon ground was situated near the railway station adjacent to the old horse-racing track at New Town (Cornelian Bay grounds).
1889
STFA Premier
No grand-final played. Railway Football Club was declared Premier.
1891
STFA Premier
No grand-final played. Holebrook Football Club was declared Premier.
1894
STFA Clubs
Southern Tasmanian Football Assoication included: City, Railway, Kingston, Fitzroy and North Hobart.
1897
STFA name change
STFA changed name to Southern Tasmanian Football League.