Our History

Welcome to the Kingborough Tigers Football Club – a proud and passionate club with a rich history dating back to 1886. From humble beginnings as the Kingston Football Club to becoming a force in the Tasmanian State League, our journey is a testament to the strength and dedication of our players, supporters, and the wider Kingborough community.

Our Early Years

Our story began in 1886, and by 1893, we had joined the Southern Tasmanian Football Association (STFA) as a junior team. Just two years later, on May 4, 1895, we played our first senior match against North Hobart at the STFA Ground. Over the next few decades, we moved through various competitions, shaping our identity as a resilient and competitive club.

In 1908, we spent a brief period in the Channel Football Association before finding a long-term home in the Kingborough Football Association (KFA) from 1909 to 1966. During this time, we built a strong reputation, winning ten premierships, including memorable victories in 1930, 1933, 1936, and our dominant 1966 Grand Final win over Kettering.

Challenges and Growth

The 1967 Southern Tasmanian bushfires were a devastating event for our region, but from that adversity, we grew stronger. The Longley Football Club merged with us, strengthening our team and leading to our transition into the Huon Football Association, where we competed from 1967 to 1995. We continued to add to our premiership tally, claiming titles in 1980, 1991, and 1995.

Stepping Up to the Big League

In 1996, we took on a new challenge by joining the newly formed Southern Football League (SFL). Our impact was immediate, making the Grand Final in our first season and securing our

Since entering the TSL, we’ve continued first SFL premiership in 1997 with a hard-fought victory over Claremont. In 2004, we rebranded as the Kingborough Tigers to better represent the entire region we proudly call home.

A major milestone came in 2011 when we moved into our new home at the Kingston Twin Ovals Complex. This state-of-the-art facility gave us the platform to grow even further, and in 2014, we achieved a long-held goal—joining the Tasmanian State League (TSL).

Making History

to build our legacy, competing at the highest level of Tasmanian football. In 2023, after years of hard work and perseverance, we claimed our first-ever TSL premiership—an unforgettable moment for our club and our loyal supporters.

Our Future

We are more than just a football club—we are a community. From juniors to seniors, men’s and women’s teams, and our dedicated volunteers, we continue to grow and develop the next generation of Tigers. Our history is built on passion, resilience, and a love for the game, and we are excited about what the future holds.

We are the Kingborough Tigers. Strong, proud, and always striving for success.

Oh we’re from Tigerland
A fighting fury
We’re from Tigerland
In any weather you will see us with a grin
Risking head and shin
If we’re behind then never mind
We’ll fight and fight and win
Oh we’re from Tigerland
We never weaken til the final siren’s gone
Like the Tiger of old
We’re strong and we’re bold
Oh we’re from Tiger
Yellow and Black
We’re from Tigerland.

Our Tiger Jumper

The KTFC Tiger Jumper as worn in the Tasmanian Statewide League represents what our club is about and where we have come from.

It is the jumper of a proud historic club which was formed over a century ago (back in 1886). Since the club began it has had various strips, but none more striking as now.

It is the only jumper worn by players of two teams representing our club at the highest level in Tasmania and took place in history when first officially worn on April 12th 2014.

Players who wear it represent all areas south of Hobart, the Southernmost AFL club in Australia from which players can be directly recruited to AFL clubs across Australia.

It is to be respected by those wearing it and those who play against it.

It is seen as a privilege to wear it and is to be treated with the UTMOST RESPECT. Players cannot expect opposing teams to respect our jumper if that respect is not shown by the player wearing it, so treat it like gold! Hand it back to property officer when you take it off and NEVER leave it on the floor.

In the years ahead it will carry the blood of those who wear it (as well as some who don’t!). It will carry the sweat of hard-working players who strive to honour it. It will carry the tears of those who were disappointed that they did not achieve their ambitions.

Our Tiger jumper will sometimes be covered in mud. On a few “special occasions” it will be covered in glory and hold up a Premiership cup. It will always remain proud whether in victory or defeat.

Your Tiger jumper will become your best mate, something that young guys will dream of wearing someday.

It will be a jumper that sometime in our future an AFL player will look back and say “thanks for being part of my past – that’s where I came from”.

The “character” of those who wear it will be judged by people across the state.

IF ONE WORD COULD BE USED TO SUMMARIZE OUR TIGER JUMPER IT WOULD BE:

“RESPECT”

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