With a small population and player base, the TCA and Tasmanian representative teams have often had to deal with small crowds and inferior quality teams, and for much of the 20th century, struggled to gain acceptance into the Sheffield Shield. By the time they were finally accepted into the Sheffield Shield in 1977, the TCA had moved base across the river to Bellerive Oval, and so the TCA ground has only seen 12 matches in that competition, when it has been required as an alternative venue.