Tasmania Makes History Securing WNBL Expansion License

Tasmania has officially been awarded the ninth license in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL), marking a new era for elite women’s sport in the state.

The Tasmania JackJumpers are incredibly proud to have reached this momentous day and to have secured the first expansion license, to enter the league in the 2026/27 WNBL season.

The club has already made significant progress appointing the first dedicated WNBL employee in former WNBA and WNBL player, Kayla Steindl as Assistant General Manager, Basketball – WNBL, as well as announcing St Lukes as the Foundation Principal Partner of the Tasmanian WNBL team.

Christine Finnegan, CEO of the Tasmania JackJumpers and leader of the WNBL expansion effort, described the announcement as a landmark moment for women's sport in the state.

“This is an incredibly proud day for this club and for the state of Tasmania. We are so proud to expand the club to now have an inspirational and aspirational pathway for both girls and boys.

“We are thrilled to have secured the first expansion license and to now begin to build a successful and sustainable women’s program, leveraging from the strong foundations that have already been established and expand our footprint and impact on the state.

“We’ve seen what the JackJumpers have done for the community and how the community have embraced the team. Now we’ll have a women’s team that brings that same spirit, pride and passion to the women’s game at the highest national level” Finnegan said.

Tasmania’s WNBL team will have a new identity including a unique name and logo with the Tasmanian community invited to ‘have their say’ and be a part of the creation of the new team’s brand ahead of entry to the League in the 2026/27 season. 

To celebrate the announcement of the license agreement, the JackJumpers are encouraging all Tasmanians to ‘Pave the way, Have your say’ in a survey campaign gathering suggestions for the name and logo as well as important consumer behaviour as to membership and corporate products they would like to see offered. 

HAVE YOUR SAY! 

Dare to Dream, Name our Team - Submit a team name and logo: https://tradablebits.com/tb_app/50558

Pave the Way, Have your Say - Help shape membership options: https://tradablebits.com/tb_app/530253

“We are committed to building a team that represents Tasmania with the same heart and grit our fans have come to love, and it’s so important that our community feel connected and represented as we embark on this new era of the club” Finnegan said.

The team will have the backing of one of Tasmania’s most iconic and community-minded brands, with not-for-profit St Lukes extending its support of the club to become the Foundation Principal Partner of the WNBL team.

St Lukes Chief Community Engagement Officer, Shoshana Wall, said the partnership was a natural fit for the organisation’s commitment to empowering Tasmanians to take control of their health and wellbeing.

“We’re incredibly proud to be the Foundation Principal Partner of Tasmania’s WNBL team, as we continue our work to make Tasmania the healthiest island on the planet.

“This team will inspire a generation of girls and young women to believe in their full potential – values that align perfectly with what we stand for at St Lukes.

“This is about more than just sport – it’s about community connection, opportunity and pride in Tasmania and being Tasmanian.

“We look forward to working with the new WNBL team to make a real difference in the community,” Ms Wall said.

The club has also appointed former WNBA and WNBL player, Kayla Steindl as Assistant General Manager – WNBL. She will begin the role from August 18 and play a key role in developing a strong coach and player recruitment strategy, setting up robust systems for the women’s program.

“I’m very proud to begin this new chapter and to play a key role in shaping the program and culture of the women’s arm of the club. We’ve seen the success of the JackJumpers in such a short space of time which is built on strong Tasmanian values, and I know the women will be able to build from the strong foundations, high quality facilities and resources, and to become a true destination club in the League.

“To now have a dedicated pathway for local talent is incredible and I’m excited to see the junior girls thrive and strive to represent the Island on the national stage” Steindl said.

The new WNBL team will reveal its name, branding, and inaugural season plans in the coming months, with community input and engagement central to the club’s rollout strategy.

ENDS