The year has seen a flurry of activity for Tasmanian bids in national competitions and that has continued with a potential WNBL side in the coming years.
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The bid would revive a WNBL presence in the state after the heyday of the Islanders back in the early 1990's before they fell to monetary constraints.
Basketball Tasmania confirmed they had approached Basketball Australia over the possibility of the state getting a WNBL franchise.
While a potential bid would not come from Basketball Tasmania, chief executive Chris McCoy said they would "fully support" one.
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The Islanders won the national title in 1991 after five years in the league alongside a few second-place finishes before a series of bottom-of-the-ladder finishes spelled their demise in 1996.
Currently, NBL1 South representatives the Launceston Tornadoes and Hobart Chargers are the highest aspiration for female basketball players in the state.
The last WNBL expansion side, South East Queensland Stars, lasted a solitary season before folding due to financial difficulties.
It is understood Basketball Tasmania were exploring a timeframe which would see the side ready for the 2023-24 season.
"We would love to see Tasmania have a WNBL team in the future - it would then provide a great pathway for both our boys and girls to progress through and play national leagues in their home state," McCoy said.
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The state is set to host some WNBL action later this year after the state government announced two WNBL regular season matches to be played between the Bendigo Spirit and the Southside Flyers next year.
The two WNBL are expected to cost the state government $360,000 to host while the NBL Blitz is estimated to cost $1 million to put on.
Basketball Tasmania are looking at the fixtures, to be played between January and March 2022, as a test for the state's appetite for WNBL.
"The two WNBL games in Tasmania early next year are an ideal lead up to exploring this opportunity," McCoy said.
"We will have two quality teams in Southside and Bendigo and it will be a great chance for the Tasmanian community to get behind these games to provide further momentum for our own team in the future."
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Adam Daunt
Sports reporter at The Examiner. Focus on basketball and netball but occasionally rolls the arm over for some cricket coverage in the summer. Previously from Adelaide with a stint in Byron Bay. Get in touch: adam.daunt@examiner.com.au.
Sports reporter at The Examiner. Focus on basketball and netball but occasionally rolls the arm over for some cricket coverage in the summer. Previously from Adelaide with a stint in Byron Bay. Get in touch: adam.daunt@examiner.com.au.
