The Hodgman Liberal Government is committed to developing and supporting opportunities for all Tasmanians to participate in more sport and recreation, including the investment in sport and programs encouraging all Tasmanians to be more physically and mentally healthy and active. We are also committed to bringing the highest level of sporting content to Tasmania whenever it is feasible to do so.
This is why we are investing $300,000, to bring the official pre-season tournament of the NBL, the NBL Blitz, to Tasmania in September. The event will see the biggest stars in Australian and New Zealand basketball descend on Tasmania from September 19-22. The roadshow includes pre-season games, community clinics, game day activations and a coach’s clinic, all of which receive national attention.
Minister for Sport and Recreation Jeremy Rockliff said, “It’s a fantastic opportunity for Tasmanians to see games between all nine teams at both ends of the state with fans having the opportunity to meet players and take part in a range of community activities.”
“This Government is very supportive of Tasmania securing a licence to participate in the NBL. Providing a pathway to elite level basketball is important for encouraging participation and developing grassroots basketball. We feel this contribution will help our push for a team of our own.”
Hungry Jack’s NBL Owner and Executive Chairman Larry Kestelman said, “We are very excited to bring the NBL Blitz to Tasmania in September.”
“This is a fantastic opportunity to bring all of our teams and players here and engage with the Tasmanian people, as well as showcase some world class basketball.
“Tasmania is a great sporting state and we want basketball to be its number one sport. That’s why we’ve expressed strong interest in establishing a 10th team here that will represent the whole state.
“I want to thank the Tasmanian Government for hosting the NBL Blitz. It will provide a lead-in to the start of the 2019-20 Hungry Jack’s NBL Season in what shapes up as our biggest and best season yet.”
Sport is a critical part of our five year Healthy Tasmania Strategy to reduce Tasmania’s rate of obesity to below the national average and have the healthiest population in the nation by 2025.