Perhaps women’s voices should be leading the conversation on women’s sports, as Chris Rowbottom's recent ABC article on the JackJumpers’ WNBL proposal and the Devonport Warriors rebranding misses crucial perspectives on gender equity and cultural respect. Indigenous voices calling for the removal of the Warriors' Native American chieftain logo are glaringly absent. Given the JackJumpers faced backlash last year when the Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation (TAC) raised issues with their Indigenous round jersey due to lack of consultation, any WNBL expansion should tread carefully and prioritise inclusion and respect.
Missed Context: Indigenous Representation and Rebranding
The article overlooks the growing call from Indigenous advocates for the Devonport Warriors to retire their culturally insensitive logo. The Coalition of Natives and Allies (CNA) has formally reached out to Devonport’s leadership multiple times, urging a rebrand that aligns with contemporary values and respect for Indigenous voices. Including this context is essential, as Tasmania’s basketball expansion should engage meaningfully with its communities—not marginalise them. It would also be relevant for JackJumpers’ coach Scott Roth, a Cleveland native, to address the issue, given Cleveland’s own MLB team rebranded from the Indians to the Guardians in 2022.
Reintroducing Old Inequities
Basing the WNBL team primarily in Launceston and Devonport, outside the state capital, feels like a step backward—reminiscent of the segregation that hampered the Hobart Islanders decades ago. Rather than fostering a unified statewide program with equal opportunities, placing the women’s team in the north risks reintroducing the very regional divides the JackJumpers have worked to dismantle. The assertion that "reverse engineering" a women’s team will create opportunities overlooks the systemic barriers that stunted the Islanders. Issues like inadequate development programs, substandard facilities, and insufficient support for women’s basketball limited the Islanders’ success. Placing the team further from essential services—such as female healthcare services and family support will only discourage top players and exacerbate challenges for the new WNBL team.
Overlooking the Legacy of the Hobart/Tassie Islanders
The article misses an opportunity to reflect on the history of Tasmania’s last WNBL team and our first state team, the Hobart Islanders (later Tassie Islanders), who were forced to fold in 1996. When the Hobart Devils lost their NBL licence, support for the Islanders immediately evaporated, as management and Basketball Tasmania’s bigoted view dictated that a women’s WNBL team wasn’t viable without an NBL men’s team. Contrary to any narrative suggesting the Islanders were underperforming, they were formidable contenders, consistently reaching finals and semifinals in the late 1980s and early 1990s, finishing second in 1989 and 1990, and famously winning the WNBL Championship in 1991. In fact, WNBL teams like the Sutherland Sharks and AIS were more frequently positioned at the bottom of the ladder. The Islanders’ story is one of strength and resilience, overshadowed by mismanagement and misogyny.
A Missed Opportunity for Inclusive Development
While Basketball Tasmania and Devonport Council’s enthusiasm for new facilities and teams is commendable, they must engage respectfully with Indigenous perspectives. The JackJumpers’ experience with TAC demonstrates the importance of meaningful consultation for fostering inclusive sports environments. Devonport’s logistical advantages alone aren’t enough—embracing Indigenous voices and respecting cultural identities is a core value in modern sports, not just a “nice-to-have.”
If the JackJumpers are to successfully establish a WNBL team in northern Tasmania, they must avoid repeating past mistakes and ensure Indigenous voices are central to the process. Respectful dialogue with groups like the CNA and TAC will foster an inclusive environment while recognising the Islanders’ history of inequity can guide a stronger, more equitable program.
The JackJumpers have an opportunity to set a new standard for basketball in Tasmania, valuing both inclusivity and respect. Instead of overlooking these critical aspects, future reporting should bring these perspectives to the fore, ensuring Tasmania’s basketball evolution truly represents everyone.