VIDEO: JackJumpers fan banned after loss to New Zealand at Launceston Silverdome
Video of the moment a fan tossed a hand clapper at the Tasmania JackJumpers’ opposition, resulting in him being banned for life, has emerged.
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Video of the moment a fan tossed a hand clapper at the Tasmania JackJumpers’ opposition, resulting in him being banned for life, has emerged.
The emotionally-charged game at Launceston’s Silverdome descended into chaos on the court, with coaches having to step in to break up scuffles between the players.
Off the court was just as fiery, with a fan being banned from future games after he was caught throwing the plastic clapper towards the New Zealand Breakers bench, the JackJumpers club condemning the ‘unsportsmanlike’ behaviour.
In the footage, the fan looks around quckily, and then throws the clapper toward the Breakers players huddled at their bench.
A Breakers player immediately reacts, as other players gesture towards the fan and one picks up the clapper and tosses it off the court.
JackJumpers coach Scott Roth is then seen being extremely animated towards the crowd.
An official statement confirmed following an investigation by the JackJumpers and the NBL, “the Tasmania JackJumpers have this morning revoked the membership of an individual adult and will extend the ban to prevent them from becoming a member in the future”.
The club said a particular incident was identified via reviewed video footage “in which a hand-clapper was purposefully thrown towards the New Zealand Breakers’ bench and team huddle late in the game”.
“The JackJumpers have no hesitation in taking action in such circumstances as this behaviour is unacceptable at any level of sport and reflects poorly on the JackJumpers, the NBL and the wider Tasmanian basketball community” CEO Simon Brookhouse said.
He said the JackJumpers would not tolerate any aggressive or unsportsmanlike behaviour, and the behaviour was in breach of the membership terms and conditions.
“It completely goes against our humble and inclusive values that are and have been so integral to the success of the club both on and off the court,” Brookhouse said.
“The vast majority of the ant army is incredible – passionate and parochial, but respectful of all other fans, and especially of the players and officials.
“The individual is very remorseful and embarrassed and has accepted the ban without question.
“We hope it can serve as a learning for all fans and we don’t have to go through this process again.”
The JackJumpers also commended a number of young fans who took it upon themselves to apologise to the New Zealand players after the game.
Ten-year-old Zachary Kooistra was among those who said sorry to the Breakers players, with mum Lara O’Neill speaking out in the wake of the fan’s sanction.
“I’m just glad that the JackJumpers haven’t taken it lightly. Hopefully it stops people acting like it in the future,” Ms O’Neill said.
The JackJumpers will host New Zealand again in a Boxing Day blockbuster on December 26 at MyState Bank Arena.”
‘Unacceptable’ behaviour
Saturday afternoon update: The Tasmania JackJumpers have released an official statement blasting the ‘unacceptable’ behaviour of the crowd at Friday night’s heated clash against the New Zealand Breakers.
The intense game descended into chaos on the court, with 48 foul calls and coaches having to break up player scuffles during the emotionally-charged battle.
But it was the actions of some of the crowd that had many fans hanging their heads in shame, with reports of people throwing objects towards opposing players and JackJumpers coach Scott Roth having to step in to simmer crowd tensions.
“The Tasmania JackJumpers condemn any aggressive or unsportsmanlike behaviour from any fans,” the official statement reads.
“We are aware of some instances of unacceptable behaviour at last night’s game and are working with the Silverdome to ensure appropriate action is taken and it does not happen again.”
The JackJumpers confirmed a group of fans were spoken to by the match manager late in the game but “no sanctions have been or are expected to be issued”.
“Tasmanians are passionate and parochial people but we absolutely encourage our fans to be respectful of players, officials and other fans at all times, and uphold the hardworking and humble values of the wider Tasmanian basketball community,” the statement said.
‘I’m sorry’
A young Tassie boy was so sad about his hometown crowd’s bad antics as the JackJumpers lost an intense NBL clash with New Zealand, he apologised to two of the opposing players.
Ten-year-old Zachary Kooistra, who also plays basketball for Somerset Heat U12s, took to the court after the final buzzer to say sorry to Breakers players Isaac Davidson and Sam Timmins after fans reportedly threw plastic ‘clappers’ and hurled insults at the Kiwi opponents.
“So disappointing to see our crowd resort to throwing clappers at the opposition and that Scott Roth had to take time away from calming his team down to speak to the people who made the choice to do it,” Zachary’s mum Lara O’Neill wrote on a JackJumpers fan Facebook page.
Supporter Kym Curran agreed, saying “it was bonkers”.
“ … objects being thrown on the court, kids standing directly behind the NZ bench screaming obscenities at them at the end and then booing them off the court instead of thanking them for an excellent and entertaining match, what an embarrassment,” she said.
Speaking to the Mercury as she watched her son have breakfast with the JackJumpers players the morning after the game, Ms O’Neill explained what drove her son to say sorry.
“Zachary has been bullied on and off the court, and has learnt a lot through that,” she said.
“He didn’t want to think of others feeling like he has been made to feel.
“While I am so incredibly proud he approached Isaac Davidson from New Zealand, it also shouldn’t be up to a 10-year-old to apologise for an adult’s negative behaviour.”
But for the youngster, who says “playing as a JackJumper would be my dream” one day, he said it just “felt right” to apologise to the NZ pair.
“I said I’m so sorry for our crowd’s behaviour tonight and that they shouldn’t have thrown clappers at their bench and yelling at them, and they replied saying it’s not your fault and that they have dealt with worse,” Zachary said.
Ms O’Neill said it was tough to see a fantastic night of “supporting Tasmania’s team” go downhill.
“I understand things can get emotional, particularly if things aren’t going the way you wanted them to,” she said.
“There were some massive personalities on the New Zealand team and I think they actually enjoy revving up the crowd, and that’s what feeds their energy.
“Sadly, some in the crowd may not have that perspective and it was disappointing to see, particularly after an incident at MyState against Melbourne United and Scott Roth making a public apology, objects being thrown at the New Zealand bench and children yelling abuse at them.
“That’s not sport, and not what the JackJumpers stand for.”
As for what he’d say to all the adults who showed bad behaviour at the game the next time they go along to a JackJumpers game, Zachary had a stern message:
“(It’s) a real bad way to show all the kids around what you look like … you’re being a bad role model,” he said.
“You can have your own opinion but you don’t need to display it to the public, that is disappointing.”
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