JackJumpers' Championship Trophy Returns Home After North and North-West Tour of Tasmania

The JackJumpers' championship trophy has returned home to Hobart after an incredible 13-day tour across the north and north-west of Tasmania. The tour, led by Jack Soward, Head of Operations and a proud Tasmanian, was a heartwarming journey celebrating our community and partners.
 
Starting the tour with Foundation Principal Partner, Spirit of Tasmania and Principal Partner MyState Bank, the trophy then visited schools, community centres, families, and local businesses, capturing the essence of Tasmania’s spirit.
 
Jack Soward, who has been with the club since its inception, took the trophy on a scenic journey—basing out of Devonport and spending time in Burnie, Ulverstone, Penguin, Wynyard, and Smithton before spending several days in the Launceston area. "This trophy belongs to the state of Tasmania," Jack said. "It is only right that we take it to as many places far and wide that we can. People deserve the opportunity to see it and have their photo with it, as their support since our inception has been vital to our success."
 
One of the highlights of the tour was the visit to Smithton. The journey, covering over 400 kilometers from MyState Bank Arena, was rewarded by a group of passionate fans proudly wearing their JackJumpers gear. "To have the JackJumpers come to Smithton and include us as part of the tour really makes us feel part of the club," remarked a local fan, capturing the genuine and humble spirit of the JackJumpers community.
 
The tour also included free basketball clinics at Smithton Primary, Table Cape Primary in Wynyard, and Burnie High School, led by Assistant Coach Mark Radford, originally from the North-West Coast, and Community Coordinator Lewis Dilger, originally from Queenstown. These clinics were a huge hit, with kids excitedly exclaiming, "Omg, it’s so heavy!" and frequently asking, "Is this the real one?" and "Can I touch it?" We also had the pleasure of meeting teams from across the Tasmania JackJumpers Junior League (TJJJL), a league with our naming rights thanks to MyState Bank, including teams from Somerset, Latrobe, Burnie, Devonport, Smithton, Launceston, Penguin, and more.
 
Jack and the trophy also visited the homes of several loyal members. The Mackie Family in Devonport, the St Clairs in Burnie, and the Hayes Family in Scottsdale welcomed the trophy with open arms, creating unforgettable memories for all involved. "We arrived at the Mackie’s house and the whole family rushed to the car in full JackJumpers gear. We took the trophy down to their backyard basketball court all while they had Game 5 of the Championship Series on replay in the shed. It was really special," shared Jack.

 
Jack Soward reflected on the tour's success, "This journey has been about giving back to the community that has given us so much. The smiles, the excitement, and the pride we saw in every town reminded us why we do what we do. This trophy is for all of Tasmania."
 
The JackJumpers’ community team will continue to spread joy and pride as they tour the east and west coast of Tasmania in June, finishing off this unforgettable trophy tour. Stay tuned for more updates and join us in celebrating our collective achievement.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Tasmanian Government for their support and to Mazda for their partnership in making the trophy tour possible.