The Wilson-Haffenden Name to the Fore! 

The name Felicity Wilson-Haffenden became increasingly well-known because of her success on the cycling track over summer carnival series.  Felicity is the daughter of Scott and Caroline Wilson-Haffenden. 

Felicity and older sister, Sarah, followed their mother’s journey into hockey, each being state representatives at junior level, and Sarah playing in OHA’s back-to-back Premier League premierships in 2020 and 2021 whilst a student at Guilford Young College.

It was the onset of COVID and subsequent delay in the 2020 hockey season which led to Felicity (then 14) looking to an opportunity to maintain her fitness whilst home schooling. As a result, she commenced riding her bike of an afternoon.

In October of 2020 an opportunity presented for Felicity to explore her riding a little further with Tasmanian Institute of Sport (TIS) undertaking a talent search programme for girls 14 to 16 years of age.

After undertaking a testing session Felicity was offered a position in the TIS Development Academy which saw her commence the path of track and road cycling commencing in November 2020. Ironically with the need to purchase a new road bike, Felicity was lucky enough to find another Old Virgilian, in Olympian Scott Bowden who was able to help her out with his old bike as he departed to further progress his riding career in Europe.

Since first setting foot on a track bike in November 2020 it has been a whirlwind 15 months for Felicity, as she has progressed quickly through the ranks of competitive cycling, initially claiming an Under 17 Hobart Wheel Race at the 2020 Christmas carnivals, through to claiming the open Launceston Wheel Race in Launceston, finishing 2nd in Burnie Wheel and 4th in Hobart, riding against the Australian Olympic team members in these events in 2021. In addition, Felicity has recently added a host of State U19 track titles to her resume and now looks forward to contesting the track nationals in March of this year.

Felicity’s father Scott is a former student of the College (1985-87) and was part of the First XVIII, the 2nd XI cricket, senior basketball and the cross country team. 

Post school, Scott worked with the Commonwealth Bank, before he commenced a Bachelor of Commerce at UTas. On graduation he commenced work with Tasmania TAFE in a number of financial roles including as an internal auditor and systems accountant.

In 2000 he transferred to the Department of Police undertaking the role of Manager Finance before being promoted to the executive of the Department in 2007 taking on the role of Director Corporate Services.

Since that time he has occupied a number of roles on the Executive with Police, Fire and Emergency Management which has most recently included leading the contract negotiations for, and subsequent implementation of a $570million whole of government radio network.

Scott played many games for St Virgil’s Old Boys Football Club.  He served as its Treasurer for a period taking on the role of its President during its premiership years in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

A recent edition of the OVAtion carried the story of the O’Rourke boys from Cygnet.  Brian O’Rourke is the father of Scott’s wife, Caroline.   Caroline (pictured) taught at St Virgil’s in 1992-93.  Just recently she was appointed as Deputy Principal to Damian Messer at St Mary’s College.

One further connection – Ollie Wilson-Haffenden, the Director of Rowing at St Virgil’s, is the nephew of Scott and Caroline.