Bounce for the economy

BASKETBALL fans are celebrating today with news that Tasmania is set to rejoin the NBL next year after the State Government settled a much-anticipated deal with league owner Larry Kestelman.

It’s been 25 years since the Hobart Devils basketball club folded, and fans can now look forward to a Tasmanian team back in the big league from October 2021.

The new team will get a $2 million State Government sponsorship — guaranteed for at least the first five seasons.

It’s now over to all basketball fans to throw their support behind a new side.

Mr Kestelman said the process of building a new club would begin in earnest, and local fans would have a role to play. He said the local community would have a say in the name of the new team and an opportunity to join the club.

With sponsorship, taxpayers have a right to expect something in return. It will be an obligation for the team to support and develop grassroots basketball, not just in Hobart, but across the state.

The project, worth nearly $220 million, is a win not only for the sport. It also provides a big infrastructure build at a time when the state needs it most.

The first stage will involve a $68.5 million upgrade of the ageing Derwent Entertainment Centre, paid for by taxpayers, which will include a new $20 million

AN INDEPENDENT REPORT PREDICTS THE PROJECT WILL GENERATE 1200 JOBS, SO THE ECONOMIC SPIN-OFFS DURING UNCERTAIN TIMES WILL BE SIGNIFICANT

four-court multi-sport indoor facility next door. This means other sports, such as netball, volleyball and indoor soccer, are likely to benefit from the upgrade.

Some might argue that there are more important things to invest in than sport, and it’s true that taxpayers should expect a return on the investment. We are talking about a large amount of money.

But a Tasmanian team will generate tourism as fans and teams come to Hobart for games.

Basketball is also a healthy sport for youngsters, and the chance to play for your state in national competition is sure to inspire a new generation of fit, young players. It is likely to help in the fight to address the state’s growing obesity problems.

But the biggest benefit will be jobs.

An independent report predicts the project will generate 1200 jobs, so the economic spin-offs during uncertain times will be significant.

A key to that will be holding Mr Kestelman to his side of the deal.

More than half of the investment will be through a $150 million investment by Mr Kestelman’s company, LK Group. It has promised a shopping, hotel and restaurant precinct at the adjacent Wilkinson’s Point.

It’s important that timelines have been built into the deal to ensure the LK group will invest the money as promised in a timely manner.

A side benefit could also be that a Tasmanian team in the NBL will up the ante for other sports to follow suit. If young sports men and women can see a clear path to playing for their state at the elite level, they may easily be swayed to choose basketball over the AFL or soccer.

There’s nothing like a bit of competition to spur the likes of Gillon McLachlan into action.

Responsibility for all editorial comment is taken by the Editor, Jenna Cairney, Level 1, 2 Salamanca Square, Hobart, TAS, 7000