How Scott Roth's 'amazing' one-man tour is inspiring Tassie's next generation
27 Mar
1
min read
Tasmania JackJumpers coach Scott Roth walked all of two steps into Exeter Primary School's front building when he was stopped by a group of teachers who politely asked for a picture and his signature.
After wading past the teachers-turned-passionate-fans, he was greeted with a 50-metre winding guard of honour which he bounced through, high-fiving the awe-inspired students who wore the colours shared by the basketball club and the school.
He was then escorted through to the hall, which was decorated with JackJumpers paraphernalia and posters, in a celebrity-like fashion as he happily answered dozens of questions about his week and what he was doing later that day.
It wasn't the first school he had been to and he still had four more to go just that day, but the energy and enthusiasm he brought was similar to that of Jack McVeigh shooting a free-throw.
Another striking detail was that he was all alone.
No other JackJumpers staff were anywhere to be seen, just him on a road trip through the towns and communities that make up Tasmania.
Roth strutted out to the front of the assembly to loud cheers and he met the tempo with ease as he immediately introduced himself and his backstory almost as though he expected no one to know who he was.
Then, after answering a wide range of questions from Exeter's students, Roth finished with a personal story about painting fire hydrants, naturally.
In truth, that story could have been about anything, but the message was clear: "Be great when nobody is watching you."
The session ended with plenty more picture-taking and merchandise signing, with Roth's one-man roadshow preparing to head to the next school.
Roth said he had visited about 20 schools in the previous three weeks, and spoken in front of more than 2000 children.
The post-season school visits have become something of a tradition, one he is very proud of.
"I love coming wherever I can to get to the fans, and more importantly to the schools and to the teachers, to share my stories and try to inspire kids," Roth said.
"Hopefully, even if it's just one, that changes the way of thinking what their future looks like and you get all the age groups, so the stories are a little bit different. But I think ultimately I sat right where they sat, and someone came in and talked to me and changed me."
Roth said he was no stranger to the odd question here and there, including someone asking how much he was worth.
But one thing that the charismatic American noted was just how much change he had seen since his first trip three years ago.
"The first year, there's no JackJumpers gear anywhere," he said.
"I went to Winneleah just a few days ago and when you go to a sleepy little town like that, that probably hasn't had too many people come through there that pay much attention, those are the places I want to go to.
"This time, when I walk onto the school they've got JackJumpers gear on."
Roth said it was "an amazing feeling" to witness the explosion in Tasmania's interest in basketball as a result of the JackJumpers' efforts.
It has also magnified pre-existing issues, namely that Tasmania's basketball infrastructure is severely lacking, with the states's sporting body recently claiming the Apple Isle is short at least two dozen full-sized courts.
But basketball has slowly become a priority for political parties, with added courts set to be built at Elphin Stadium, and at Mowbray's new sport precinct.
Roth said he felt it was his duty to continue being an advocate for basketballers at all levels of the sport.
"Sometimes you're in a bubble, and being down in Hobart, you can forget about all this, but for me, this is the reality of trying to connect the state and defend the island," he said.
"It's something that I'm very passionate about, because they said it couldn't be done and it's hugely important for me to be up here."
With the NBL season at an end, Roth's next priority will come on April 4, when the league enters its free agency period, allowing clubs to recruit new players.
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