JackJumpers Statement: Tasmanian AFL Licence

The Tasmania JackJumpers have released the following statement: 

The Tasmania JackJumpers would like to congratulate all stakeholders involved in the successful bid for a Tasmanian AFL Team and securing of the 19th AFL Licence, as announced today.

This is a great day for Tasmanians and Tasmanian sport, and we recognise the power of work it has taken to reach this historic moment.

The JackJumpers are looking forward to working collaboratively with the AFL, AFL Tasmania and all current and future stakeholders to promote the success of the Tasmanian team in the AFL.

“We’re thrilled that the AFL have finally recognised the value of having Tasmania on the national sporting stage, the rich sporting history of the State is being celebrated and the voices of Tasmanians are being heard,” Co-CEO Christine Finnegan said.

“As has been highlighted a number of times, the JackJumpers have demonstrated the power of sport in galvanising the Tasmanian community and reinforced the passion Tasmanians have for something they can call their own.

“We believe the JackJumpers have created a powerful blueprint for expansion sporting teams in any league and we look forward to sharing our insights with the new AFL administration.”

The NBL is committed to being the number one summer sport in Australia.

“We see the introduction of an AFL team as complementary, rather than competition for our League. Tasmania now has elite-level sport year-round; we want kids to be watching basketball in summer and footy in winter,” Finnegan said. 

“We recognise there will be challenges for the NBL and for Basketball Tasmania, but for now we want to share in the celebrations and wholeheartedly congratulate all involved in this first milestone.”

The JackJumpers will continue to work with key stakeholders to provide elite basketball pathways for both boys and girls in Tasmania.

“The JackJumpers are committed to making basketball the number one participation sport in Tasmania, and we will continue to engage all Tasmanians through our extensive community program, development opportunities and our game-day experience,” Finnegan added.