The fanbase may be relatively new, given it is only the Tassie team’s second year in the league, but there’s no denying that members of the Ant Army, as JackJumpers fans have come to be known, are making up for lost time, by immersing themselves in the world of basketball super fandom.

Some diehard fans have inked themselves with tattoos of the JackJumpers' logo and the signature of their favourite players, some have invested heavily in custom shoes and clothing showcasing their passion for the team and much-loved head coach Scott Roth, while others spend up big on courtside seats to get as close to the action as possible.

Other fans are forking out big dollars for limited-edition JackJumpers number plates. One dedicated fan has been so inspired by the team that he built an indoor half-court at his office in Cambridge, so he and his basketball-loving staff can shoot hoops during their breaks.

The official Tasmania JackJumpers Facebook page has amassed 24,000 followers, while the Tasmania JackJumpers Fan Page has 5900 members. Local businesses are increasingly catering for fans, providing everything from JackJumpers manicures to custom JackJumpers jewellery and hand-knitted green and gold beanies.

Many superfans admit they didn’t expect to be so taken with the JackJumpers when they headed along to their first game last season. But they quickly became captivated by the fast-paced on-court action and the atmosphere, with fans describing a JackJumpers game as “electric”, “thrilling” “two hours packed full of excitement” and “one of the biggest things that has happened in Tasmania for a long time’’.

Games have also attracted high-profile spectators, including Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Governor of Tasmania Barbara Baker, AFL players Nat Fyfe and Jack Riewoldt, French tennis player Alize Cornet, cricketers Matt Wade, Tim Paine and Peter Siddle and Professional Fighters League world champion Rob Wilkinson.

NBL owner Larry Kestelman has repeatedly said at MyState Bank Arena that Tasmania takes the crown as the loudest crowd in the league.

And JackJumpers chief executive Simon Brookhouse says the overwhelming support of fans is a joy to witness and has exceeded all expectations.

“Obviously, you hope you’ll have a great fanbase – when you’re starting up a new club you don’t know how many people will get onboard,” Brookhouse says.

But the smiling faces of spectators, a growing membership of more than 6000 fans, packed arenas at every game and strong support for community events such as charity days and school basketball clinics showed that the JackJumpers were a firm favourite.

“It definitely has exceeded our expectations,’’ he says of the support from fans.

“We couldn’t be more buoyed by membership sales, there’s so much merchandise, not just at games, but also in the streets, which I think is great … it makes the arena look fantastic, with everyone in green and gold … it’s an amazing reflection of how people have got behind the team. I think Tasmanians are very proud, proud to have a team to call their own.’’

With finals quickly approaching – the last regular-season home game will be played at MyState Bank arena on Sunday, January 29, against Perth Wildcats, followed by an away game on Saturday, February 4, against Illawarra Hawks before finals begin – TasWeekend decided it was the perfect time to speak to several superfans, to find out exactly why they’re so passionate and what they love most about being part of the Ant Army.

Jess and Roger Radford

Wedding vows traditionally include mantras about supporting each other through sickness and health, and through good times and bad … but for Launceston couple Jess and Roger Radford, their bond includes a shared love of basketball – and a permanent memento of their love for the JackJumpers which is etched on their bodies.

Jess, 36, and Roger, 42, both have a JackJumpers logo tattooed on their forearm, along with the signature of their favourite player Jack McVeigh. They got the tattoos in November, after being inspired by the success of the JackJumpers’ inaugural season.

They are proud JackJumpers members and attend all home games, travelling to Hobart regularly with their 10-year-old son Ira, their 19-year-old daughter Lily, and her boyfriend Sabyn Harris, also 19.

“We made the decision that we wanted a JackJumpers tattoo through the finals series last year, just to commemorate something we love, but also – we were just feeling inspired,’’ Jess says.

“I had said to my husband at that time, if we get one, I want Jack’s signature to be part of it.’’

Jess was a Jack McVeigh fan long before the much-loved “energy guy” signed with the JackJumpers, and followed his progress with the Adelaide 36ers before he moved to Tasmania.

“I was an Adelaide girl and I converted (to the JackJumpers) the second they signed him,’’

she confesses.

She discussed her tattoo idea with McVeigh before going ahead with the inking.

“I originally asked him about it at the MVP night last year, whether he’d be comfortable with it – it’s a respect thing,’’ Jess says.

“Having someone tattoo a signature on them … I wanted to make sure it was something he was comfortable with, and he was absolutely fine with it.’’

The couple later organised a meeting with McVeigh to get the perfect fine-line signature for the tattoo – rather than the thicker, sharpie-style autographs they already had – to include in their design. And the tattoos have certainly been a talking point.

“It’s quite funny, you get mixed reactions,’’ Jess says.

“And because of the signature people say ‘well, what if Jack leaves, what if he goes to another team?’. But I feel that regardless of whether he goes somewhere else, it’s still part of the JackJumpers’ history at this point of time, and, for most people, a tattoo is a way to remember something, or signify something.

“People are normally pretty excited by seeing someone so into (basketball and the JackJumpers). The way I would describe myself is, when I love something, I’m all in.’’

Jess and Roger are co-chairs of the Baptist Basketball League in Launceston and manage one of the teams within that league.

Jess didn’t start playing basketball until she was 30, but loves that she can now play in the same team as her daughter.

Jess, Roger, Lily and Ira all competed at an interstate tournament last year and Ira is part of the state development program.

“Basketball consumes our life,’’ she laughs, adding that they are Hawthorn fans and members, but AFL has increasingly been pushed aside.

“I only have capacity to give everything to one sport,’’ Jess explains.

“The JackJumpers are just so entertaining – until someone experiences that atmosphere you just can’t explain it to them.”

They once took a friend along – it was his first game at MyState Bank Arena – and Jess says he was “buzzing for days” because “it’s such an incredible atmosphere’’.

Both Jess and Roger work for Westpac and say basketball is a great topic of office banter.

“I do have quite a few people who, if they want to know anything (about the JackJumpers), they tend to ask me,’’ Jess says.

“I would say that it definitely allows you to have conversations with different people.’’

Travelling regularly from Launceston to Hobart can be tiring and logistically challenging, and the Radfords often come down and back in the same day to avoid the added expense of accommodation.

But Jess says it’s worth the extra effort.

They have emerald seats in Launceston, and sit in the front row of the upper circle in Hobart.

“We’re in the car for double the time that we are actually watching the game,’’ she says.

“It’s family bonding time for us. Our 19-year-old daughter is starting to grow up and go off and do her own thing, and when they’re grown up, you start to see them less and less.

“So it’s nice that we get to hang out as a family – sometimes we’ll stay for a weekend
in Hobart. And we use the car ride to catch up on NBL podcasts and Jack McVeigh’s podcast as well.’’

The family purchased home jerseys of every player in the inaugural season line-up, which remain unworn – Jess considers them to be an “investment” and has plans to frame them all.

She says the JackJumpers are an easy team to support as the players and coaches are so likeable and the team ethos is commendable.

And having games in both Hobart and Launceston makes it feel like a truly Tasmanian team.

“One of the things that has made it easy to be a JackJumpers fan is that the players are as genuine as you think they are,’’ Jess says.

“It’s not a facade, they are genuinely great guys.

“I really like what the club is trying to do. It’s not just Scott Roth saying that he’s trying to build culture, he genuinely is.

“When you interact with players and staff and coaches, you actually do get to see that they’re living by what they say and it’s not just lip service.

“That’s something that has made it super easy to be a fan.’’

Cathy and Lily Anning

Cathy Anning and her daughter Lily, 10, have always had an interest in basketball.

But it wasn’t until they attended their first JackJumpers game at MyState Bank Arena at the start of the inaugural season that their interest grew to a whole new level.

Cathy, 39, admits that they were both swept up in the excitement of the game – and the buzz of being part of such an electrifying crowd – and were quickly catapulted into the league of NBL super fans.

“We always liked basketball, with Lily playing for the Glenorchy Revs,’’ Cathy explains, adding that her husband Adam is also a fan.

“But we didn’t realise just how much we were going to love going to the JackJumpers' games. We had the opportunity to attend the pre-season blitz last season and from the first game we went to at MyState Bank Arena we were just hooked – we just love it, we can’t get enough of it.

“The atmosphere, the entertainment – it’s two hours packed full of excitement, it’s thrilling.’’

The Annings, from Montrose, attend all Hobart games and have an emerald membership, which means they sit close to the action. They also splurge on courtside seats for special occasions such as Christmas and birthdays, much to the delight of Lily, who ranks basketball tickets and merchandise at the top of her gift wishlist.

Her bedroom walls are covered in basketball posters – her favourite players are Jack McVeigh and Isaac White – and she is always a keen participant at the JackJumpers’ junior basketball clinics and family fun days.

Cathy loves the way the JackJumpers engage with the community and says it has been great to meet the players and coaches at games and events and get to know more about them.

She says attending open training sessions has been a highlight, and the courtside interaction between players and fans after home games has also been wonderful for Lily, who loves meeting players and having her photo taken with them.

“They’re a really nice bunch of blokes,’’ Cathy says.

She says it’s also fantastic to see such enthusiasm from so many passionate fans.

“It’s one of the biggest things that has happened in Tasmania for a long time,’’ Cathy says of NBL returning to Tasmania, following the demise of the Hobart Devils in 1996.

“To get people so enthusiastic about something … I think it’s just brilliant.

“People are fighting to get memberships and tickets, they’re the biggest tickets in town – even to the kids’ clinics and the open days, they’re hot property.”

As a parent, she says it’s great to see a renewed interest in sport, not just at JackJumpers games and community basketball clubs, but in school yards across the state.

The Annings are also football fans, supporting Carlton in the AFL, but since the JackJumpers arrived their main focus has been on basketball.

“From a parent point of view, it’s getting kids off computers and off their backsides and wanting to play sport again,’’ Cathy says.

“The interest it has sparked in children wanting to play basketball – I think it’s great.

“Everyone wants to play basketball, they’re playing it in their lunch breaks – it’s the best thing that’s happened to Tasmania in a long time.’’

Justin Smith

You won’t find many offices in Tasmania that have their own basketball court.

Justin Smith, who runs medical recruitment business Your Doctor Jobs, never played basketball growing up, but was so inspired watching the JackJumpers play each week that he installed a bright red and blue half-court in his Cambridge office in April last year so staff could shoot a few hoops together.

The 50-year-old from Seven Mile Beach watches every JackJumpers home game in Hobart from courtside seats, where he’s often joined by either his wife Carolyn, their two sons Lucius, 14, and Eli, 11, or some of Smith’s workmates. He also travels to Launceston for games and has attended away games interstate.

This season Smith’s business is sponsoring Jack McVeigh, with McVeigh and mascot Jack the Jumper recently visiting Your Doctor Jobs for a session on the office basketball court with staff and their families.

Smith says it has been great to see basketball booming in Tasmania, and he loves the excitement and energy of JackJumper games. His entire family proudly sports green No.9 jerseys and he says sponsoring McVeigh was an obvious choice.

“We love the energy and enthusiasm he brings to the court, and he is a ripping bloke as well, and we are privileged to associate our brand with him,’’ he says.

Simon Hall

He’s arguably the JackJumpers’ most enthusiastic fan.

Simon Hall was the first Tasmanian to secure a membership when the JackJumpers franchise was announced and images of him cheering courtside in his custom JackJumpers clothing and shoes have been broadcast across the nation.

“I’m a shoe hoarder, I’ve got about 120 pairs, so it just seemed logical to get a JackJumpers pair made up,’’ he laughs.

The 38-year-old from Acton Park has since had more custom shoes and gear created, including some Scott Roth shoes and a bold green and gold T-shirt featuring an image of Roth and the catchcry “This is our house!”.

Hall and his wife Clare sit courtside every week and are so passionate about the game that they even scheduled the C-section birth of their second son so it didn’t clash with the JackJumpers' games.

“Last season Spencer came to every game – he spent half the season in Clare’s belly and half the season outside Clare’s belly,’’ Hall explains.

“We scheduled his birth around games, we had a meeting two weeks before with Dr Bradford, and he said ‘How’s Friday the 14th of January?’ and I said, ‘Geez, that’s a JackJumpers home game’, so he said ‘no worries, we’ll book it in for Saturday morning’.”

Spencer attended his first game at 10 days old. He’s now 1 and stays at home with a babysitter along with his older brother Sebastian, 4, while mum and dad enjoy a night out together.

Hall has been playing basketball for 30 years – he started as a junior in Under-10s at Dodges Ferry, attended Devils games as a kid and is now heavily involved with Glenorchy Revellers Basketball Association, as a coach and player.

His plumbing business, Island State Wastewater Maintenance, has sponsored the Hobart Chargers for several years and he also runs an annual shootathon, raising $112,000 for Ronald McDonald House in the past two years.

He says although VIP courtside seats are expensive – he pays about $5400 per seat for a 12-game season in Hobart (about $450 per game), which includes drinks, food, access to the Emerald Lounge before and after games and a few other perks. But he considers it a treat for the hard work he puts in helping others.

“I struggled to justify it, but it is my outing,’’ he explains. “I give up so much of my time, so it’s kind of a release away from all the club stuff … it’s my way of treating myself.’’

“At the end of last season we thought ‘do we go (courtside) again?’. But I never want anyone else sitting in those front-row, centre-court seats. I like being able to listen to the game as well as listen to the players, when they’re interacting with referees and coaches and other players. When players are warming up and looking at you, smiling and saying hello, it makes you feel good, it makes you feel like part of the team.’’

Hall returns on Saturday from a holiday in Fiji (where he proudly wore his JackJumpers clothing), a trip he strategically timed so he would only miss one home game and would be back in Hobart in time for finals. While he was away he donated his courtside seats to Swisherr Hoops Academy to auction off to raise funds for cancer charity Canteen.

Hall would love to travel interstate to watch the JackJumpers play finals, but says after an overseas holiday he’s not sure he can afford it.

“I’m sure I’ll find (the money) somewhere,’’ he laughs.

“I’ll sell one of the boys, or something.’’

Hall can be recognised for his many tattoos, but surprisingly he doesn’t have a JackJumpers tattoo – yet.

“I said when they won a championship I’ll get a JackJumpers championship tattoo,’’ he laughs. “But they need to hurry up, as I haven’t got much room left.’’•

The last regular-season JackJumpers home game is at MyState Bank Arena on Sunday, January 29, at 2pm. Watch on 10 Peach, Kayo or ESPN. jackjumpers.com.au