NBL Blitz headed to Tasmania for the JackJumpers inaugural season

The JackJumpers are set to wow the crowds even before the season kicks off when the NBL Blitz hits the state next month.

• Tasmanian cricket officials on tenter hooks over hosting an Ashes Test match
• Targa Tasmania’s 30th anniversary event has been put back by Covid

LET’S Blitz again, like we did in 2018 _ that was the message from JackJumpers boss Simon Brookhouse as the NBL announced a $1m deal with the state government to hold its pre-season tournament in Tasmania next month.

The JackJumpers will break-in their newly-refurbished home base, the former Derwent Entertainment Centre, now known as MyState Bank Arena, with their opening NBL Blitz preseason game on November 14.

Tasmania hosted the NBL Blitz three years ago, which was a roaring success, and Brookhouse said his club fought hard against other states for the privilege to host it in the club’s inaugural season.

All Blitz games are free for fans.

JackJumpers NBL basketball forward Jack McVeigh has arrived in Tasmania. Picture: Richard Jupe

“It’s a great day for Tasmanian basketball to have six teams competing down here over a two to three-week period with a minimum of 14 games,” Brookhouse said.

“It could add up to about 4000 bed nights and around $2m in economic benefit and that’s great for the state.

“The JackJumpers first game at MyState Bank Arena will probably be part of a double-header. We will work out who’s playing those games in the near future.

“Importantly, it’s the start of what the JackJumpers are about in the NBL.”

The JackJumpers play their first NBL game against the Adelaide 36ers at MyState Bank Arena on December 3.

The JackJumpers relax at the Willie Smiths Apple Shed after being put through their paces at the Willie Smiths Packing Shed. Photo courtesy of Wikgography.

“We will be raring to go against Adelaide but we do need some practice,” Brookhouse said.

“We will have at least five games throughout this [Blitz] practice period.”

As well as the JackJumpers and 36ers, the other Blitz teams are Cairns Taipans, Brisbane Bullets, Perth Wildcats and New Zealand Breakers, who will be based in Tasmania for the early part of the NBL season.

“Unfortunately the Melbourne and Sydney teams can’t come down to Tasmania at this stage due to Covid-19, but they will play practice games among themselves,” Brookhouse said.

“We would like to say a special thanks to the Tasmanian government, who have made this possible.”

Jane Howlett, Minister for Sport, said it was a special time for Tasmanian sport.

“We last held the Blitz in 2018 but immortally this time we have our very own team in the competition,” she said.

“We are really excited about that, and the six teams will be playing games right around the state and the teams will be interacting with players right around the state and doing lots of grass roots engagements.”

JackJumpers memberships are approaching 3000, with a capacity of 4000 at their Hobart stadium.