JackJumpers bolster off-court team ahead of NBL26

The Tasmania JackJumpers are pleased to announce exciting changes to the club’s Executive management structure, bolstering off-court administration ahead of the NBL26 season.

The JackJumpers will welcome experienced sports administrator, Mitch Coulson as General Manager - Commercial, Fan Growth and Data, as well as current Board Director, Rob Inches who will transition into the club’s front office as General Manager - Strategy and Finance.

Coulson joins the club from his current role as Netball Tasmania CEO, where he has been instrumental in progressing the sport’s participation, business strategy and stakeholder relations. Coulson brings more than 15 years’ experience in professional sports administration including 7 years in senior membership, ticketing, data, and consumer engagement roles at St Kilda Football Club.

“Mitch’s insight and experience in consumer behaviour and engagement will be a real asset as we continue to develop our commercial and membership offerings to best serve and engage our partners and fans”  CEO Christine Finnegan said.

“He has done a wonderful job at Netball Tasmania overseeing grassroots growth and his experience will be invaluable as we move towards our goal of a WNBL License”.

Coulson will fill the Executive role of current General Manager, Commercial and Marketing Alex Edgar, who has advised the club she will leave her role at the end of June to take up a senior marketing position at St Lukes.

Edgar has been a significant contributor to the JackJumpers since the inception of the organisation. She was initially responsible for the delivery of the foundation membership program which she oversaw out of lockdown in Melbourne during the Covid pandemic. As the expansion of the business evolved, Alex went on to hold an important executive responsibility and strategic oversight of the marketing and commercial functions and has been crucial to the success of the club in its infancy.

Speaking on behalf of the JackJumpers, CEO Christine Finnegan said “I would like to thank Alex for her incredible contribution as a foundation staff member and congratulate her on the impact and work she has achieved.  Alex was one of the 8 initial employees and has overseen our membership and commercial units with the utmost professionalism and care.  She will be greatly missed, however we are so pleased that she is going to continue her journey in Tasmania at St Lukes”.

The JackJumpers are also excited to announce current Finance Director, Rob Inches will move full time into the newly created role of General Manager - Strategy and Finance.

Boasting a decorated on-court career including more than 290 SEABL games with the Hobart Chargers, Inches brings more than 20 years’ experience in financial management and executive roles across a range of industries.

He joins the club from his most recent role at CEO of Kriticos Nominees, where he has overseen a diverse group of companies operating Tourism and Accommodation, Hotels, Advanced Manufacturing and in the Financial Services sectors.

Speaking on behalf of the Club, JackJumpers Chair Steve Old welcomed Inches into the new role.

“Rob has done a wonderful job as the Director of Finance advising from board level” Old said.

“With the ownership transition to the Altor Group from July 1, we have recognised the business needs a full-time Executive finance role and with Rob’s comprehensive knowledge of the business, his strong basketball background and strategic experience, it made sense to continue the momentum and best serve the business by moving this to a full-time position” he said.

Finally, as part of the Executive restructure, Darren Smith will move to General Manager - Basketball Operations.  This role will absorb the duties previously held by Mika Vukona and oversee the entire basketball department, including possible expansion to a women’s team and the transition into the new High Performance Training Centre.

“I am very excited about the next phase of the JackJumpers and confident that this new Executive structure will support our three year strategic plan to deliver on an aggressive growth strategy and continued success. I look forward to working with this team and the Altor Group to ensure the JackJumpers continue to deliver for the people of Tasmania,” Steve Old said.

Speaking on behalf of the Altor Group, Ben Harrison echoed Steve’s endorsement “we are very pleased with the direction in the Club is taking for future growth under the leadership of Chair Steve Old and CEO Christine Finnegan. We look forward to working with the team for the ongoing success and growth of the club while continuing our focus on embedding ourselves into the Tasmanian community.”

The new structure will take effect from 1 July, with Mitch Coulson commencing on 7 July and Rob Inches to commence on 18 August. 

Tasmania JackJumpers Executive Team:

Christine Finnegan, Chief Executive Officer

Darren Smith, General Manager - Basketball Operations

Mitch Coulson, General Manager - Commercial, Fan Growth and Data

Katelyn Davies, General Manager - Communications and Brand

Rob Inches, General Manager - Strategy and Finance