The Hunter region’s sporting landscape is set for a boost with the arrival of its newest American football club, the Maitland Tigers.
Already, the team, gearing up for its inaugural season, will join the Hunter Gridiron League’s 9v9 competition in 2026.
Based at Fred Harvey Oval in Woodberry and currently recruiting men over the age of 18, the Tigers are already generating strong interest as they establish themselves within the Maitland community.
Leading the charge is Jack Tessier, Maitland’s head coach and president, a Newcastle-born former player whose passion for the sport fuelled the creation of the region’s newest side.
His vision’s simple: give local athletes a chance to try something new and strengthen gridiron’s presence across the Hunter.
“I moved up into the Maitland area and felt that it was missing out on Hunter Gridiron and on being a part of the growing league,” Tessier said.
“A lot of current and ex-players in our league are already based around Maitland and Cessnock.
“So, I knew there was enough talent and coaching experience here to help develop the sport locally.
“When I put the feelers out to see if people would be interested in starting a team, we practically had a committee straight away and, from there, the ball just started rolling.
“We’re helping grow Hunter Gridiron back into a four-team league again and, hopefully, it only continues to strengthen.”
Even though gridiron is new to the area, Tessier was taken aback by how much local interest there already was.
“Surprisingly, the demand in Maitland has been really strong,” he said.
“It’s a big population for a country town and once we hit the recruitment stage, we actually exceeded expectations.
“Most of our players are from Maitland or nearby, which has really helped our numbers.
“Maitland is a central hub.
“It’s easy for players to travel, there’s already a strong sporting culture, and the population base means the interest is already here.
“it is definitely a big reason why we’ve been so successful so quickly.”
With recruitment exceeding expectations, Tessier said the local community had been quick to get behind the Tigers, too.
“It’s responded incredibly well,” he told the Newcastle Weekly.
“There’s so much pride behind Maitland and I know that’s where all this interest is coming from.
“We’ve had people wanting to get involved even if they can’t play, whether that’s volunteering or helping in other ways.
“The level of support has been a little overwhelming, but in a really positive way.”
With the foundations laid, the club’s focus now turns to charging towards its first season.
“Building a strong culture is our main goal for 2026,” Tessier explained.
“You can’t expect a strong team without a strong culture.
“We have a good mix of rookies and experienced players… and they’ve already created a close bond.
“Our first training session didn’t feel like we were a new team and that tells me we’re on the right path.
“I’m not focused on where we finish on the table as our priority is building a culture that will carry us into the future.
“Being a foreign sport, as a new club, you really have to prove yourself.
“However, our immediate popularity shows we’re on the right track.
“We’ve been really lucky to have Clutch Creative come on board as our photography partner.
“Club Maitland City is our main venue sponsor and they’ve been amazing.
“With the support from Stoic Performance and Recovery in Rutherford, along with Apex Community Care, they’ve all been fantastic in helping us build the organisation.
“At this stage, we’re looking at our first season beginning in early 2026 – around late January to early February – though a confirmed venue hasn’t been finalised yet.”
Helping steer the club both on and off the field is Adam Taylor-Dubios, serving as both treasurer and quarterback.
“Jack came to me with the idea of starting the Tigers and asked if I’d be part of the committee,” he said.
“From that moment I was all in, I never second-guessed it.
“I’ve known Jack for a while and have played against him.
“We both represented the Central Coast Sharks and now, we’re building a team together.
“That’s pretty special.
“It’s exciting to be part of building a team from the very beginning.
“The guys who’ve joined feel like we’ve known each other for years.
“Our team has gelled really well, and the whole experience has been fun and positive already.
“As a quarterback, I’m a dual threat – I can throw and I can run – and with the culture we already have, leading this group is going to be easy.”
Rounding out the mentoring team are Jason Helton, the Tigers’ defensive coordinator and assistant head coach, and Alexander Martin, who is shaping a strong offensive line despite many of the players being new to the sport.
“We encourage anyone who wants to give gridiron a go to come to training, have some fun, and see if it’s the right fit for them,” Tessier said.
“Right now, we’re recruiting over-18 men, but there’s definitely room in the future for more teams.
“Our flag football program, that we’re hoping to introduce next year, will be open to everyone, so that’s something exciting to look out for.”
For more sports stories:
- It’s game on for Maitland Magpies at Cooks Square Park
- Lauren Parker snares record-breaking sixth Athlete of the Year with a Disability crown
- Sporting legends on the ball in Maitland Hall of Fame
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