Tasmania FC Appoint Matthew Knights as Inaugural Academy Development Coach

The Tasmania FC has announced the appointment of highly recognisable AFL figure, Matthew Knights, as the inaugural Academy Development Coach.

Knights, who commenced this week, brings over 20 years of elite coaching experience and a reputation as a leading development mentor, cementing the new club’s commitment to establishing a “first-class pathway and high-performance program for Tasmanian talent.”

Commenting on Knights appointment, Tasmania Football Club head of football operations, Aaron Pidgeon, said: “Matthew is a leading development coach in the AFL, and his appointment is a real coup for our club and more importantly, athletes that will be a part of our club now and into the future.”

He further noted that Knights’ skills will be “instrumental in the establishment and operation” of the Academy, reflecting the high value placed on his intellectual property and expertise.

This foundational coaching acquisition is considered a success, directly addressing the core list-building challenges facing the AFL’s newest franchise. By installing a figure of Knights’ stature—who has held roles including VFL Premiership coach and AFL senior coach at Essendon, Tasmania FC immediately elevates the credibility and standard of its forthcoming Academy.

The Academy is hinged to the club’s long-term success, serving as the critical pipeline for securing local talent through priority access concessions, thereby minimising reliance on trade and free agency capital during the initial list construction phase.

Knights’ resume, which includes a VFL Premiership with Geelong and recent experience as Forwards Coach at West Coast, highlights his capacity to build and operate high-performing systems.

This varied coaching background, balancing senior experience with grassroots development, is essential for shaping the holistic program that must attract, develop, and retain the best Tasmanian footballers before they are eligible for the national draft.

The appointment signifies the organisation’s dedication to investing heavily in the state’s football infrastructure ahead of its debut season.

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