AFL OK with JackJumpers

Kids should see idols competing

THE taskforce behind a bid for a Tasmanian AFL team has warned the state will soon start redirecting funds and energy into basketball, but the chief executive of Tasmania’s new NBL team has backed the push for a footy side.

Tasmania has threatened to abandon its bid for a standalone team unless AFL chiefs commit to a “pathway” to a licence.

Tasmania JackJumpers chief executive Simon Brookhouse said the club had not had any indication there would be further funding for the club, and he would like to see the state with its own AFL team.

“I’m personally hopeful that the AFL do see the light and bring a team to Tasmania, [it’s] a proud AFL state and I think any development and new sporting opportunities in the state is good for everybody,” Brookhouse said.

“I’m not here to denigrate the AFL in any way, I think they do a fantastic job, they’ve got a fantastic product, and I think it’s important that for all young Tasmanians there’s opportunities to have their heroes down here in Tasmania, whether that be football, basketball, netball, or any other sport.

“I think governments obviously keep an eye on sport and want to fund sport, and I think that they’d be very supportive of an AFL bid, but that’s something for the AFL and the government and the taskforce to discuss.”

The JackJumpers will join the NBL next year, and Brookhouse said he believed basketball had a strong future in Tasmania and participation would continue to grow.

“With the inception of the JackJumpers coming into the state, I think that gives more opportunity for the kids to look up to what hopefully become their idols in the Tasmanian team,” he said.

“We hope that with our influence in schools and community programs that we can create a greater awareness for the sport and therefore grow the sport.”