Tasmania could become a world sporting hub if it repels the worst of the coronavirus

Andrew Gaggin isn’t afraid to think boldly, declaring Tasmania’s disconnection from mainland Australia could open the door for the state to be the epicentre of the revival of sport in the country.

Andrew Gaggin Cricket Tasmania Chairman has a radical idea on how Tasmania could become the sporting hub of the country later in the year if the state manages to hold the coronavirus/COVID-19 spread at bay. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

CRICKET Tasmania chairman Andrew Gaggin has unveiled a radical idea that would make the state the sporting hub of the country — and potentially the world — if it can avoid a major COVID-19 outbreak.

Gaggin believes Tasmania can use its disconnection from mainland Australia to significant advantage, contingent on the measures being put in place by the State Government successfully limiting the spread of the deadly virus.

The plan revolves around the state becoming completely coronavirus free and then placing incoming team personnel into a dedicated quarantine facility, similar to horses that arrive in the country for the spring racing carnival.

Once cleared they could then mingle in a community that is no longer under any isolation pressures.

An entire Australia v India series in Tasmania could be a possibility under Cricket Tasmania chairman Andrew Gaggin’s radical idea. Picture: AFP

“Let’s say India wants to come to Australia, they could fly potentially straight into Hobart if we have appropriate quarantine when they get here,” Gaggin told the Mercury.

“They go into quarantine, just like the horses do for the Melbourne Cup in a designated facility, until it is recognised there are no concerns.

“If we are all free here, they can be in the community, no problem.

“They could be here for three or four months, they play their entire tour in Tasmania, four Tests, and however many one-dayers and T20s between Blundstone and UTAS, because we have two world class facilities.”

Gaggin’s vision stretches far beyond cricket, with the potential including the likes of NBL, hockey and netball seasons all unfolding in the state, while major events such as European soccer are not out of the realm of possibility.

European soccer in Tassie? Cricket Tasmania chairman Andrew Gaggin has a bold vision for Tasmania to become the sporting hub of the world. Picture: GETTY

“For over 200 years Tasmania has been cruelled by Bass Strait, it has been an impediment to everything we have done,” Gaggin said.

“To me, this is the situation where Bass Strait can come to our assistance being an island.

“We are not seeing the type of increase they are in NSW and Victoria in particular.

“If we can get to the stage — and it’s a big if — that within the next three months we can get through it and bring our COVID-19 cases back and in an ideal situation we become corona free, we are in a unique situation.

“Sport on the mainland for many years is going to be problematic, if we can get to the stage where we are recognised as being free, then it opens up all sorts of possibility.

“I’m not just thinking cricket, but a revamped DEC could potentially host the NBL season, hockey could play their internationals here, it could become a world hub and the big thing is they can play before crowds.

“The end game could be the El Clasico, Barcelona versus Real Madrid, played in Tasmania. Is it a possibility? I don’t know, but the way things are in Europe, they are not going to be playing sport there I feel for a long time.

“I want to be a glass half full person, and this grand plan could all come astray in the next few weeks but … we might have a lot of pain for three months, but potentially we could be the hub for the next couple of years.”

Gaggin said the same principles could be applied to business, with companies relocating to Tasmania to rebuild.