The Tasmania Devils have released a limited edition “Ken Oath” t-shirt to mark the appointment of Ken Hinkley as the club’s first AFL head coach.
The merchandise, available for pre-order at $60, features a drawn map illustration of Tasmania with the words “Ken Oath” inside it, on the club’s signature bottle green tee.
The shirts are made to order and expected to ship from August 5.
On Monday, Hinkley was announced as the Devils’ inaugural coach after spending 13 seasons at the helm of Port Adelaide, where he compiled a winning record of 58.6% across 297 games.
He was twice named AFL Coaches Association Coach of the Year and led the Power to seven finals campaigns.
Tasmania Devils chair Grant O’Brien said the club ran a thorough process to find the right fit.
“We didn’t set out to find the candidate with the single best win-loss record in this process, we set out to find the right coach for exactly what Tasmania needs right now,” he said.
“Ken’s ability to build relationships with young players and to build an environment that people want to be part of is exceptional, it is the number one reason we believe he is the right fit for this club.”
O’Brien said the club is building its list largely with young and developing talent, demanding a coach who is “first and foremost, a brilliant teacher and a builder of people.”
Hinkley said leading Tasmania’s AFL entry was a privilege.
“The responsibility to lead Tasmania’s entry into the AFL is something very special, it excites me,” he said.
“There will be many ups and downs and challenges that lie ahead, including the build of our football department, but I have unique and directly relevant experience to take these on alongside the broader football club.”
Hinkley will begin working with the football department immediately as the club builds towards its AFL and AFLW debuts in 2028.
The Devils expect to appoint their first AFLW head coach by the end of this year.
