Tassie’s chance to swoop when virus is over SPORTS CENTRAL
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 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 which is no longer under any isolation pressures.
Gaggin’s vision could see India play its entire 2020-21 tour against Australia in Tasmania, but stretches far beyond cricket. He believes the potential includes the likes of NBL, hockey and netball seasons all unfolding in the state.
Even major events such as European soccer are a possibility.
“For over 200 years Tasmania has been cruelled by Bass Strait, it has been an impediment to everything we have done,” Gaggin told the Mercury.
“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, it opens up all sorts of possibilities.
“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.
“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.
“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.”