Devils’ iconic colours to grace court in Heritage Round

Memories of the Hobart Tassie Devils’ will resonate across the State during January as the JackJumpers honour the history of basketball in Tasmania in NBL Heritage Round.

The JackJumpers are delighted to reveal the club’s Heritage Round jersey and shorts, which is based on the Hobart Tassie Devils’ uniform throughout the former club’s inclusion in the NBL throughout the 1980s and early 90s.

“We’re really proud to release this jersey and I think it will evoke a lot of emotion in many people who were heavily invested in the Devils and in basketball in Tasmania” General Manager of Basketball, Jorrick Chivers said.

More than two decades on from its last appearance at MyState Bank Arena (formerly known as the Derwent Entertainment Centre), the iconic Hobart Tassie Devils colours will again grace the court in the National Basketball League in the Round 15 and Round 16 Heritage Round games.

“Tasmanians were starved of NBL basketball for 26 years, but we know the fans are just as passionate and we’re really proud to have captured that passion and support throughout the first two seasons of the JackJumpers, so it’s really special to be able to honour the last Tasmanian team that played in the league” Chivers.

The JackJumpers will wear the Heritage Round uniform against the Adelaide 36ers at MyState Bank Arena next Thursday and then again against South East Melbourne Phoenix at the Launceston Silverdome on January 18.

“Round 16 is the League-wide Heritage round but we made a special request to the NBL to wear the jersey twice as we thought it was really important to honour the rich history of basketball right across the State and wear it at both home venues.

“The JackJumpers will be the only team to wear their Heritage Round jersey in two home games” Chivers said.

Heritage Round is particularly special for the Chivers Family, with former Devils’ Assistant Coach Mark Chivers, now the JackJumpers Team Manager and his son Jorrick, the JackJumpers’ General Manager of Basketball.

“The jersey is particularly special for me and my family, the Devils were a huge part of my family growing up and I feel very nostalgic and honoured to be able to bring it back to life in this way” Jorrick Chivers said.

Mark Chivers is also one of 19 members of the Tasmania JackJumpers ‘Bloodlines’ - an initiative started by Head Coach Scott Roth, to celebrate and honour the rich history of basketball in Tasmania and recognise the people that have significantly contributed to the past and ongoing success of the sport in the State.

The Bloodlines program strives to connect the history of Tasmanian basketball with the future and pay homage to those that have come before the current playing and coaching group.

The JackJumpers will recognise the Bloodlines members and their contributions as well as Tasmania’s former NBL clubs – Hobart Tassie Devils (1987-1996), Launceston City Casino (1980-1981) and Devonport Warriors (1983-1984) throughout the Heritage Round home games.

Fans are being encouraged to wear retro basketball wear or dress up to the Round 15 and 16 home games for a chance to win JackJumpers prize packs.

The JackJumpers Heritage Round jerseys will on sale online at shop.jackjumpers.com.au from January 11 and at the merchandise store at MyState Bank Arena at the Round 15 game.