Tasmania JackJumpers wrap arms around Devonport community

The entire Tasmania JackJumpers family has been deeply impacted by the tragic accident at Hillcrest Primary School in Devonport last week.

Like many Tasmanians, the JackJumpers players, staff, partners, members and supporters want to do anything they can to help those affected and go some way to ease the grieving and healing of those most impacted by the heartbreaking events.

“There are no words to accurately describe the grief and sorrow that has swept across Tasmania and indeed Australia over the past few days, with a tragic event so close to our community and so close to Christmas” JackJumpers CEO Simon Brookhouse said.

Tasmania JackJumpers share in the grief of the community, particularly our friends at Basketball Tasmania and the Devonport Warriors Basketball Club following the devastating news of the passing of 11-year-old Chace Harrison.

“Chace was a promising young basketballer, and along with his parents and sisters, was well known to key members of the JackJumpers family. We are just heartbroken for his family, coaches and teammates” Brookhouse said.  

“We have fielded a number of enquiries, particularly from the basketball community, asking how we can help and how they can also help our organization to wrap our arms around the school, club and community”.

The Tasmania JackJumpers had planned to announce current partner, SRT Logistics have extended their support to shorts sponsor for the 2021/22 season.

SRT Logistics CEO Rob Miller said “such announcements seem immaterial at this time, but we thought this is an opportunity to use the sponsorship as a vehicle to help and we have decided to donate a branding spot on the shorts to Kids Helpline to promote their support services, which are so important at this time”.

From Boxing Day, the Kids Helpline logo will appear on the JackJumpers shorts for all remaining home and away games and the Club will further support messaging with signage displaying the logo and contact numbers at all home games.

The Tasmania JackJumpers have also made preliminary plans to further recognize the victims and support the community by;

• Wearing black bands on our jerseys for games against Perth Wildcats, Sydney Kings and on Boxing Day against New Zealand Breakers
• Holding a moment’s silence and recognizing the victims at our next home game on Boxing Day at MyState Bank Arena
• Working with Kids Helpline along with other key support services to find meaningful support mechanisms and responses
• Players visiting and playing in the Devonport community and Warriors Basketball Club if and when appropriate in the new year

“We know the grief and heartache is still very raw, and there are children who still need extensive medical care and rehabilitation. All our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected.

“We are desperate to help in any way we can and unite others who want to help as well” Brookhouse said. 

The Tasmania JackJumpers recognize that the events at Hillcrest Primary School may be overwhelming and we encourage anyone impacted to reach out for support through 24/7 support hotlines, Lifeline Tasmania (13 11 14) or Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800).