NBL: NBL Blitz to come to Launceston and Ulverstone

The NBL's preseason tournament will see the Tasmania JackJumpers, Adelaide 36ers, Cairns Taipans, Brisbane Bullets, New Zealand Breakers, Perth Wildcats face-off in Launceston, Ulverstone and Kingborough.

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The announcement marks the second time in three years that the NBL has ventured south to play the tournament.

"I played a Blitz here a few years ago when I was in Brisbane, it was awesome, we had a lot of support out at Ulverstone and a lot of support [in Launceston]," JackJumpers player Will Magnay said.

"The crowds were big, everyone loved it, the kids loved it, that's why we do it, to showcase the NBL and to showcase the JackJumpers.

"It's always nice to be able to get back to your roots and play at a stadium where everyone's right on the sideline, right next to you, it's good fun."

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Tasmania will also host two regular season WNBL games in 2022 featuring the Bendigo Spirit and the Southside Flyers.

The two fixtures come as Tasmania looks into potentially getting a team into the WNBL in the coming years.

"This is the perfect way to begin Tasmania's pathway for our own WNBL side as our local talent continues to benefit from the Tornadoes great successes in the NBL1 competition in 2021," Launceston Tornadoes president Neil Grose said.

"The WNBL is, along with the USA's WNBA, the best women's basketball competition in the world and it will be amazing to have such high-level women's basketball played here."

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The government also announced that tickets are free for Tasmanian residents when the NBL Blitz gets underway in a few weeks to entice fans to the games.

The tournament is expected to cost the state government near $1 million while the two WNBL games are estimated to cost $360,000.

"I know that after a very unusual off-season our players will be looking forward to getting amongst the community so be sure to get ready for everything that's coming your way, Tasmania," NBL commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said.

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