A Showcase for Tasmania Basketball in Chargers 30-Year Celebration

Round 3 of the NBL1 South 2026 season delivers a unique moment, with Tasmania taking centre stage as the Hobart Chargers and Northern Force meet in a full Tasmanian showcase at MyState Bank Arena, home of the NBL’s Tasmania JackJumpers.

The double-header brings together two programs from across the state, with the focus firmly on Tasmania’s talent pipeline and the continued growth of the game locally.

While the night also marks 30 years of Chargers basketball, the occasion extends beyond a single club. It reflects the broader strength of Tasmanian basketball and the increasing number of athletes progressing through local pathways into the NBL1, WNBL and NBL.

Dean Young, Chair of the Hobart Chargers, believes the milestone carries significance far beyond the result on the floor.

“Thirty years ago, we set out to prove that Hobart was a basketball city. Today, that isn’t even a question, it’s a fact,” Young said.

“This anniversary is a celebration of our history, but it’s also a statement about our future. We are welcoming the Northern Force to our floor for the first time, and while we respect their entry into the league, we’ve had 30 years to perfect the stampede; they’ve had five minutes.”

The women’s matchup highlights that pathway, with Tasmania Jewels development players Nikki Parker and Ardie Smith, both products of the state system, set to feature ahead of the Jewels’ entry into the WNBL for the 2026/27 season. Chargers guard Sharna Thompson adds to the local presence, while the Northern Force lineup features WNBL talent in Keely Froling alongside Sarah O’Neil, reinforcing the high-level experience on display.

The men’s contest continues that theme, with Tasmania JackJumpers representatives Jacob Richards and Anthony Drmic headlining the Chargers lineup alongside local Joe Chilcott and South East Melbourne Phoenix guard Luke Rosendale. The Northern Force counter with their own Tasmanian core, including former Brisbane Bullets development player Kye Savage.

For the Force, the opportunity to be part of the occasion comes with added motivation, as they look to make their mark in their first Tasmanian derby.

“You are often playing against players you have either grown up playing against, or with at different points in time and that makes the match up very different,” Northern Force forward Cameron Brown said.

“You’re playing for bragging rights against some of your best mates on the court, while showcasing what Tasmania have to offer.”

Brown, who previously spent a decade with the Chargers, also noted the personal element of the contest, including the chance to face his younger brother.

“There’s a good chance we drive in and leave together from the game, but once that ball is thrown up in the air, it’s about doing whatever I can to help our team get the win.”

Across both games, Tasmania-born and developed players remain a consistent thread, reinforcing the role of NBL1 South as a key platform within the state’s basketball pathway.

From grassroots to the professional level, the showcase provides a snapshot of Tasmania’s basketball landscape, all on one stage.

Round 3 continues with a night that brings Tasmania’s basketball community together, highlighting both its history and its future.

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