Kuba was at the Launceston General Hospital Children’s Ward on Friday morning, awaiting an operation to remove a ganglion.

“I’ve had an operation before, but it’s still a bit scary,” Kuba said

He said the visit was “pretty cool” and “definitely a surprise”. Launceston Tornadoes players Liz Howe and Ali Partridge paid a visit to the children’s ward to cheer up kids facing a tough time.

Howe is about to enter her third and final year of nursing at university. She said it was great to experience interacting with patients without being in a caring role. 

“It’s kind of cool … just being a presence and not being that person who is doing stuff for them, but to just come in and talk to them … and have a positive influence with something like basketball,” Howe said. 

Partridge said knowing her own children would love a visit from sports stars in hospital added meaning to the experience.