After receiving almost 10,000 nominations from the Tasmanian public the state’s new NBL team name will be the “JackJumpers”.
After the league shortlisted the names submitted from the Tasmanian public to five, the Timbers, Mountaineers, Pride, Tridents and JackJumpers the entries reduced to a head to head battle between the Tasmania Tridents and the Tasmania Jack Jumpers.
Both team’s had logo and merchandise mock-ups created to help Tasmania’s make their preference.
With news leaking that the decision to name the team the Jack Jumpers on Twitter it wasn’t long until a number of hoops tragic’s made it obvious, they feel the selection was a poor decision from the NBL front office.
📺WATCH: The name of @NBLTasmania‘s new team has escaped from the nest a day before the official announcement.
Those hoping for the Tridents have been stung by the news that the state’s new sporting franchise will be known as the Jack Jumpers.@NBL @WINNews_Tas @jackjumperstas pic.twitter.com/I5ujGnxkMz
— Brent Costelloe (@brentcostelloe) September 30, 2020
The @NBL takes a great step back into Tasmania, then calls them the Jack Jumpers? My goodness 🤦🏻♂️
— Chris Anstey (@ChrisAnstey13) September 30, 2020
i’m not privy to the details on what happened with the Southern Huskies but how does @NBLTasmania go from something that looks as impressive as that…to the Jack Jumpers? 🤨🤭 @NBL pic.twitter.com/WdwXrXAOeg
— Brendan Vella Ω (@BJVELLA) September 30, 2020
It’s like thinking up a name to call a new baby… You go through all the possibilities of how other kids could make fun of their name and choose accordingly… Jack Jumpers is NOT a wise choice…
— Ben Parker (@w00kiee77) September 30, 2020
Tasmania’s NBL team being named the Jack Jumpers is about as 2020 as it gets
— Beth Davis (@bethdavis10) September 30, 2020
Despite the poor reception online Tasmania JackJumpers Chief Executive Simon Brookhouse believes the name has all the right components to be a powerful brand.
“This is a landmark day for Tasmanian and Australian sport as we introduce the Tasmania JackJumpers.
Jack Jumpers is something that you can bring to life, it can be a great mascot and a brand and is synonymous with Tasmania” Brookhouse said.
“Synonymous with Tasmania, the JackJumpers will be proud, bold and fearless. The JackJumpers will show that you don’t need to be the biggest to be the best and to drive fear into your opponents.
Brand agency SouthSouthWest who are both Tasmanian and have worked for global brands including Nike, Google and USA Basketball, designed the logo for the JackJumpers.
The design for the JackJumpers logo represents all four corners of the state and embodies Tasmania’s challenger spirit and passion. The green and gold colours pay homage to Tasmania’s rich history and landscape.
“The JackJumpers are energetic, fierce and ready to attack and defend with force well beyond their size. Like Tasmania itself, the JackJumpers will be unforgettable and a team all Tasmanians can embrace.” added Brookhouse.
Hungry Jack’s NBL Owner and Executive Chairman Larry Kestelman was excited about seeing NBL basketball finally return to Tasmania after 24 years.
“We are very proud to welcome the Tasmania JackJumpers to the NBL. The JackJumpers will usher in a new era for Tasmania sport and write a new chapter in the story of the NBL and Australian basketball as it continues to go from strength to strength”
“I’ve got no doubt they will do Tasmania proud as they represent the state on the national and international stage. We want them to inspire generations of Tasmanians to come as basketball becomes the number one sport in Tasmania.” said Kestelman.
Brookhouse made it clear the process in selecting the name is the result of hoops fans all across the Apple Isle giving their input and ultimately the name Tasmanian basketball fans wanted.
“It’s the names the Tasmanian fans have chosen.
We’ve really enjoyed the input and feedback from all Tasmanians during this process” said Brookhouse.
It was announced earlier this week work on the $68.5 million refurbishments of the Derwent Entertainment Centre will begin next month, with the Tasmanian Planning Commission approving the site area plan.
By signing up as a Foundation Member Tasmanians fans will be able to choose their own seat at the newly renovated DEC for the 2021-22 Hungry Jack’s NBL Season.
Foundation member packages can be found here at membership.jackjumpers.com.au
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
