Roth: Tassie can be Aussie basketball’s ‘mecca’

Jackies coach Scott Roth believes Tasmania can be Aussie basketball’s “mecca” if facilities are improved, likening its potential to tiny Lithuania’s success. Read his thoughts on the game’s state of play in the state here.

JackJumpers coach Scott Roth with the NBL trophy. Picture: Linda Higginson/Tasmania JackJumpers

JackJumpers coach Scott Roth has made the bold claim Tasmania can be the “mecca” of Australian basketball if the sport’s demands for their dire facilities to be improved are answered.

Roth, a staunch advocate for the community level of the game since arriving at the defending NBL champions three years ago, said the time for talk is over as basketball looks to cope with growing participation and demand.

He said Tasmania could emulate the tiny country of Lithuania’s ability to punch above its weight, which it has a history of doing in major tournaments.

The issue of court shortages and the sub-par maintenance of existing facilities came to the fore over the weekend when Basketball Tasmania was forced to use courts at Deloraine and Launceston schools for the annual Mid-Winter Classic.

The state government has committed to installing three more courts at Launceston’s Elphin Sports Centre, while basketball hopes to feature in Devonport’s Sports Infrastructure Priority Investment Plan.

The Jackies are growing impatient for their own High Performance Centre to be built in Hobart.

The Tasmanian government recently ticked off the club’s desire to build the centre in Kingston, but on the proviso more community courts would be built in the capital’s northern suburbs.

Basketball Tasmania has released a three stage plan for more community courts to be built and existing ones to be upgraded, at a cost of around $70 million.

“I’ve said this in jest but I kind of mean it in a real way. I don’t know why Tasmania can’t be the Lithuania of Europe in the basketball world for Australia - Why it can’t be the mecca of basketball,” he said.

“We have everything going for us, we just need the facilities because the amount of growth has been unparalleled, I think, anywhere in Australia.

“The amount of kids who are trying to play is tremendous, so why not make Tasmania the home of basketball for maybe Australia in general.

“I know it’s a crazy thought, but the state hopefully will step forward, start building some of these facilities and start refurbishing the ones that aren’t available to be rebuilt.

“Just change a light bulb, clean the floor up, put some paint on some walls, fix up the bathrooms.

“We’re not asking for a ton of things to get done in some of these facilities.”

JackJumpers head coach Scott Roth celebrates with the team after they clinched the NBL championship. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Roth regularly travels around the state to connect with community basketball, and is well placed to deliver an opinion on the standard of facilities.

“They seem like a simple fix and how it goes about I’m not sure. But we definitely need it as soon as possible across the state, not just the JackJumpers facility,” he said.

“I’ve travelled everywhere across the state, I’ve been in very facility that has anything to do with large events for Tasmanian basketball.

“Besides Ulverstone in my opinion, it’s the only one that doesn’t need to be refurbished. Everything else needs to have some fresh paint put on it.”

Roth said he was pleased to see some progress was being made regarding the commencement of building the High Performance Centre.

“I’m happy that we’re talking,” he said.

“As I’ve said there’s been talk for three years and I think they’re getting to the pointy end of everything. But until I see some dirt moved or a sign put up that it’s the home of the JackJumpers, or something is evident that’s there’s a bulldozer or a shovel nearby, I’ll wait and see because it’s been a very slow three year process.

“I haven’t seen anything be built for basketball in the state, I’m hopeful this gets going as soon as possible and we can move forward.

“Not only do we need it, but the state needs the improvement across the board. I understand there’s a lot of things the government promises with health care and education and all those things, but I hope we can get ours going.

“We’ve patiently waited for three years and it’s time.”