Supported by Hawthorn, AFL Tasmania and the Northern High Schools Sports Association, the cup has been running annually since 2008.

However, it will break new ground in its 12th year as an inaugural female competition is set to take place alongside the male contest.

Hawthorn VFLW players Sarah Perkins and Jayde Van Dyk will head the girls' event, coaching students on their quest to win the first female division.

Perkins and Van Dyk will draw from their experiences playing at VFLW and AFLW level (Adelaide and Carlton respectively), speaking with participants on the boundary and offering guidance to each team across the day.

Both the male and female competitions will see three of the state's top teams take part in a round-robin format, consisting of two 20-minute halves.

Each team is comprised of year nine and 10 students representing the North, North-West and South regions.

Following the round-robin fixture, the two leading squads with the highest winning percentage will progress to the grand final.

Individual MVP honours will also be presented for each school, offering a family pass to Hawthorn's opening Tassie game of season 2020.

Hawthorn state manager David Cox stressed the cup's value to students and the broader football community.

"The Tassie Hawks Cup continues to highlight the state's incredible talent pool and provide budding footballers with an opportunity to put their skills to the test in an encouraging yet competitive environment," he said.

"This year's competition marks a pivotal occasion with the introduction of our female division, helping foster passion and development of female footballers across Tasmania."

Hobart's St Virgil's College surpassed Riverside and Burnie high schools to take out last year's Tassie Hawks Cup.

The boys' cup will be played at Windsor Park, Riverside, on Tuesday and the girls' at Prospect Park Sports Club in Harley Parade on Thursday.