More Jackies in Launceston? Vital upgrades to shore up future games

Extra funding committed to improving the much-maligned Silverdome is set to save JackJumpers fixtures in Launceston, and could open the door for WNBL and Super Netball content. See what will be improved.

Extra funding has been allocated for Silverdome upgrades on Friday. Left to right, Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood, Northern Tasmania Netball Association Director of Operations Claire Russell, Sports and Events Minister Nick Duigan, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth Engagement Rob Fairs and Launceston Basketball Association President Craig Gibson. Picture: Supplied

The Tasmania JackJumpers’ desire to continue playing games in Launceston is secure long-term after more state government funding was announced to improve the much-maligned Silverdome.

The government on Friday announced the $8m originally set aside for upgrade works have been increased to $12m which includes increasing the capacity from 3200 to 4000 for NBL games and improved changerooms.

The Jackies have been vocal that the outdated facility needed vast improvements to be suitable to host games in the future, with league officials visiting the venue last year before giving the green light for two scheduled games to go ahead there in the 2024-25 season.

NBL and Jackies owner Larry Kestelman has publicly stated the club wouldn’t play at the Silverdome going forward unless significant improvements were made.

Minister for Sports and Events Nick Duigan said the improvement also provide Stadiums Tasmania, who will own and manage the facility, to pursue other elite sport.

Super Netball games have been played at the Silverdome in the past. The Melbourne Mavericks have forged an official relationship with the state and played practice matches at the Silverdome and Ulverstone in December, but the only season proper match is at Hobart in May.

The Jackies are looking to establish a WNBL team as soon as next year, with the plan for most matches to be played in the state’s north.

“It’s certainly part of the rationale to have this facility not only host JackJumpers games, and here are a number of things (upgrades) it needs to have, but also the conversation about WNBL and higher level netball is front of mind,” Duigan said.

“We’d love to see this facility be able to be a home for that sporting activity, and those conversations are ongoing.

The Silverdome is set for increased upgrades. Picture: Supplied

“We’ve asked Stadiums Tasmania to do a whole of state (assessment) of our stadiums, across a whole range of sports, to see what a content strategy looks like for Tasmania.”

Duigan said it would have been a devastating blow had JackJumpers games disappeared completely in Launceston.

“This will lock in JackJumpers basketball in the north of the state,” he said.

“This facility will be able to meet the standards the JackJumpers need and the WNBL needs, and we are determined to deliver it in a time frame to allow those games to continue.

“The JackJumpers’ mantra is to defend the island and it’s a call that brings them together.

“They play in the south, and we need them to keep playing in the north. This upgrade will allow that to continue, and we look forward to having them here with more people in the house.

“This is extra funding for extra scope to deliver upgrades required to be NBL broadcast standard, plus the increase in capacity and other improvements we’re looking at.”

The upgrades are planned to be completed before the next NBL season begins in September.

They include more seating, better accessibility, new replay screens, a new floor system, better change rooms and improved food and beverage options.

The upgrades will also benefit community sports group year-round.

Northern Tasmanian Netball Association (NTNA) director of operations, Claire Russell, said the upgrades plus new courts at the new Northern Sports Hub in Mowbray currently under construction, gives the sport a chance to bid for elite events.

“There’s definitely a whole scope of events we’re limited to with access to only three courts inside, but in conjunction with the Mowbray facility there’s scope to bring more national and state events to the north,” Russell said.

The JackJumpers played a game at the Silverdome in November. (Photo by Simon Sturzaker/Getty Images)

“This is a major investment for a key facility for the NTNA. We rely on this space heavily to deliver our programs, especially our midweek competition, Netball Tasmania programs and the TNL.”

“It’s needed for SSN (Super Netball) games to come down here. And with change facilities it’s not just a women’s sport anymore, it’s evolving more into male and mixed netball.”

Launceston Basketball Association president Craig Gibson spoke to this masthead this week of the region’s critical need for more courts after Basketball Tasmania issued a statewide strategy to address the issue over the next decade.

“This helps make sure we maintain the JackJumpers games here, which is excellent,” he said. “The additional seating for those who are fans of the sport to get more people into the stadium (is needed), and down the track if the WNBL side we’re looking at comes to fruition they can use it as their home base as well.

“We’re not a huge user of the Silverdome because netball is heavily invested here, but getting more courts into the overall space in Launceston allows other sports to move. That provides more room for basketball, and does help alleviate some of the issues.”