NBL schedule change sees new matchup opening round matchup: JackJumpers vs Bullets
Border closures have forced a shuffle of the NBL’s 2021/22 schedule, which means the JackJumpers will go head to head with another team for their debut game. SEE THE MATCHUPS >>
Tasmania
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Border closures have forced a shuffle of the NBL’s 2021/22 schedule, which means the JackJumpers will go head to head with another team for their debut game in Hobart this weekend.
Adelaide were originally due to play against Tasmania on Friday December 3 but will now host the Brisbane Bullets at the MyState Bank Arena.
The 36ers will now travel to Perth to play the Wildcats at RAC Arena.
“The NBL is navigating the ongoing and dynamic situation regarding State border restrictions, and the League has proactively updated the schedule to give fans the best chance of attending games.” said an NBL spokesperson.
Tasmanian JackJumpers CEO Simon Brookhouse said the changes to the schedule were minor but positive for the team.
“We always knew there could be changes to the original fixture. We’re pleased the NBL has got on the front foot in foreseeing possible challenges and give us the best chance to prepare and adjust to the changes.” said Mr Brookhouse.
The opening game is among 21 games that have been adjusted over the first six rounds of the 2021/22 NBL season.
Individual game-day tickets to home matches in rounds 1-8 will go on presale to members on Monday November 15 with general public sales opening on Wednesday November 17 at 10am.
See the changed schedule here.
JackJumpers fans swarm on tickets to preseason tournament
JACKJUMPER fans have swarmed on tickets to the NBL Blitz preseason basketball tournament with almost all games now “sold out”.
Six NBL teams will fight for the preseason title over 12 games in venues around the state, with only a handful of the free tickets still available.
As well as the JackJumpers, the other Blitz teams are Adelaide 36ers, Cairns Taipans, Brisbane Bullets, Perth Wildcats and New Zealand Breakers, who will be based in Tasmania for the early part of the NBL season.
JackJumpers boss Simon Brookhouse said a sea of green would flock to MyState Bank Arena for the green machine’s historic first preseason game, and launch their new state-of-the-art home venue against the Bullets on November 14.
“Our players can’t wait to get out there for a competitive hit out in front of a packed crowd. It will be an incredible atmosphere,” Brookhouse said.
Northern Tasmanian fans proved their passion for elite basketball with the ticket allocations for the five games scheduled for Ulverstone Sports and Leisure Centre snapped up quickly.
Head Coach Scott Roth said: “It’s great for us to go up north and build out fan base and show the whole of Tasmania what we’ve been working towards for over 12 months.
“The Northern community are loud and proud basketball people so I’m excited that we get to have a competitive hit out in front of them.”
Limited tickets are available to the Blitz double-header at MyState Bank Arena on November 16 (Wildcats-36ers, JackJumpers-Taipans) as well as the final game between the Bullet and 36ers in Hobart on Sunday 28 November.
How to get free tickets to JackJumpers’ debut game
THE old Derwent Entertainment Centre will be unrecognisable when Tasmanians get their first look at the JackJumpers and the $66 million redeveloped MyState Bank Arena — and it will be for free.
The NBL Blitz will tip in Tasmania on Sunday, November 14, with the league’s newest franchise to host the Brisbane Bullets from 1pm at the “Ant Hill”, followed by the Adelaide 36ers-Cairns Taipans game from 3pm.
JackJumpers chief executive Simon Brookhouse said the fans would be impressed, especially with the first sighting of the venue’s “Jumbotron” for replays and scores.
“What people will see is not the Derwent Entertainment Centre,” Mr Brookhouse said.
“The reality is it has changed significantly.
“It is really striking when you walk in in terms of the fit out and the colour schemes and everything else.
“Most people who have had the luxury of being there or working there say it is unrecognisable so I think they will see a really significant change.”
The redevelopment was initially cost at $46 million, but blew out to $66 million due to he complexities of a major stadium redevelopment, the tight project time frames and Tasmania’s buoyant construction market.
The Tasmanian Government kicked in an additional $15 million with NBL owner Larry Kestelman chipping in the rest.
The upgrade is stage one of the overall project, with the development of a major retail precinct next to MyState Bank Arena to be stage two, and the third and final stage will be the future Wilkinsons Point hotel, retail and restaurant development on the waterfront behind the DEC.
Stages two and three will be funded by Mr Kestelman to the tune of more than $150m.
Tasmania will host 12 games in the Blitz as part of the government’s $1 million investment to bring the tournament here.
The team will play their first two games of the Blitz at MyState, before hitting the road with two more in Ulverstone and the last fixture in Launceston.
MyState Bank Arena will have a capacity of just around 5000, but fans will still need to book tickets for the Blitz for Covid reasons and to ensure spectators don’t turn up on the day and miss out.
Mr Brookhouse said the club had already secured 3500 members with the limit set at 4000.
The Blitz will be vital for the JackJumpers as they look to gel on court ahead of their regular season debut on December 3 in Hobart against the Adelaide 36ers.
“The (Covid) delay to the season has no doubt helped us and having the Blitz here has really helped us as well so I think those two things are going to have us in good stead come the opening rounds,” he said.
“You’ve heard the coach (Scott Roth) say he wants to win a championship and so do the players, that’s a professional athletes’ mentality.
“From our own point of view what fans will see is a very competitive team and once that wants to win and really values MyState Bank Arena as their home court.”
WHERE TO SEE THE JACKJUMPERS
v Brisbane Bullets, MyState Bank Arena, Sunday, November 14, 1pm.
v Cairns Taipans, MyState Bank Arena, Tuesday, November 16, 7.30pm.
v Adelaide 36ers, Ulverstone Sport & Leisure Centre, Sunday, November 21, 3pm.
v Perth Wildcats, Ulverstone Sport & Leisure Centre, Wednesday, November 24, 7.30pm.
v Cairns Taipans, Elphin Sports Centre, Friday, November 26, 5.30pm.
Head to the JackJumpers website for more information.
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