Tasmania has secured the ninth Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) licence, with the JackJumpers set to court a women’s team from the 2026/27 season.
The move makes Tasmania the newest WNBL franchise and delivers the state its first elite women’s basketball pathway.
JackJumpers CEO Christine Finnegan called the announcement a landmark moment for Tasmanian sport.
“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,” she said.
“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.”
The club has moved quickly, appointing former WNBA and WNBL player Kayla Steindl as Assistant General Manager of the WNBL.
Steindl will lead coach and player recruitment and develop program systems ahead of the team’s debut.
“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,” Steindl said.
“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.”
The team has also secured St Lukes as its foundation principal partner, with the not-for-profit health organisation expanding its existing JackJumpers sponsorship.
St Lukes’ Chief Community Engagement Officer Shoshana Wall said the partnership aligned with the organisation’s community health mission.
“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,” Wall said.
The women’s team will operate under a separate identity from the men’s NBL side, with its name, branding and debut season details to be revealed in the coming months.
