Tasmania Devils coach Ken Hinkley is about to hit the road across Tasmania, as the club’s fourth Lap of the Map visits six communities across the state.
The free tour starts at the Plough Inn in Launceston on November 18 and finishes at the Dodges Ferry Hotel on December 3.
In between, it will stop at the Beach Hotel in Burnie on November 19, Longley International on November 25, Cascade Brewery in South Hobart on November 26 and Devils Corner at Swansea on December 2.
Devils chief marketing officer Kath McCann said four of the towns had not hosted the tour before, including Burnie.
Earlier tours focused on the club’s launch, the appointment of its chief executive and last year’s entry into the VFL and VFLW.
This one focuses on the push to the AFL in 2028 and the new coach.
“This is Kenny’s Lap of the Map,” McCann told Pulse.
“He hasn’t spent a lot of time in the regions of Tasmania, so he’s excited about this trip.”
McCann expected fans to offer the coach advice on signings and building the list.
“I expect that there’ll be a lot of feedback,” she said.
Hinkley has been in the state frequently since his appointment and is planning his move, which McCann said would include 14 members of his family.
The tour will also give staff a chance to connect with fans and members face to face.
“This really does charge our batteries up,” she said.
“It gives us an opportunity to, you know, really remember what we stand for and engage, but also use the opportunity to gain feedback.”
Club representatives will also visit local schools and meet community stakeholders at each stop.
McCann said the tour would continue once the Devils entered the AFL.
“It’ll evolve and change over time,” she said.
“That’s all part of the incredible journey that we’ve got and we’ll make sure that we do that alongside community.”
In February, the club’s third tour visited nine towns, from Ulverstone to Cygnet.
Places are limited and McCann encouraged fans to register early via the club’s website.
Each event runs from 4pm to 5:30pm and includes a Q&A and a meet and greet with Hinkley.
