Tasmania's 16-year wait for National Basketball League action will end on April 6 when the Silverdome hosts the first of four New Zealand Breakers fixtures.
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As revealed by The Examiner earlier this month, Launceston will become a home from home for the Kiwi team as they play the ladder-leading Perth Wildcats (twice), Adelaide 36ers and Illawarra Hawks across 11 days.
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The first time the NBL has played a regular season game in Tasmania since 2005, the fixtures precede the Tasmania JackJumpers' entry into the competition for the 2021-22 season.
Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said the NBL will play 27 games in 18 consecutive days across rounds 12-14, including four at the Silverdome.
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"We are excited to see the NBL return to Tasmania just months before the JackJumpers' debut," he said.
"These games will give Tasmanians a chance to enjoy world class sport and entertainment over the coming weeks and get a taste of what's to come when they have their own team in the NBL from next season.
"We also thank the Breakers for their flexibility during what is a challenging season for the whole club. They are a critical part of the NBL family and we thank their players, coaches, staff, families and fans for their support."
The fixtures enhance a growing role that COVID-free Tasmania is playing in the national sporting landscape.
Just a day after the last of those four matches in the national basketball competition, Launceston will host the first of two in the soccer equivalent with Western United hosting the A-League ladder leaders Central Coast Mariners.
The national footy version follows a week later when Hawthorn welcome Adelaide to UTAS Stadium in the first of eight AFL matches in the state this year with the Supercars making their annual visit to Symmons Plains on April 10-11.
Tassie has also hosted Australian titles in triathlon, sailing, mountain biking and rowing in recent weeks.
Silverdome dates
- 7.30pm Tuesday, April 6, New Zealand v Adelaide
- 5.30pm Saturday, April 10, New Zealand v Perth
- 7.30pm Tuesday, April 13, New Zealand v Perth
- 7.30pm Friday, April 16, New Zealand v Hawks