Northern Tasmania NBL1 License Statement

Since 2020, the Launceston Tornadoes and North-West Thunder have jointly held a licence to compete in the NBL1 South competition.

It has long been understood that this shared licence would conclude at the end of the 2025 season, with league managers, Basketball Victoria, stating that a male and female team must be fielded under a single entity from 2026 onwards.

Basketball Tasmania engaged with stakeholders to establish a thorough, transparent, and collaborative process to determine the NBL1 license model that represents all of Northern Tasmania.

From the outset, our focus has been on delivering a structure that fairly represents both the North and North-West regions, ensuring all athletes, coaches, officials, and other stakeholders have equal opportunity to access and engage with NBL1 basketball in their region.

Both clubs were invited to collaborate at every stage of the NBL1 license process. From initial discussions and working groups to stakeholder roundtables and feedback sessions, both clubs had opportunities to contribute ideas, provide input and shape the model for greater Northern Tasmania.

Basketball Tasmania ensured that invitations, timelines and communications were consistent, creating an open and transparent process designed to give both clubs an equal chance to participate and influence the outcome.

We are pleased to confirm that a new entity, the Northern Tasmania Basketball Club (NTBC), has been established. The NTBC will preserve the elite basketball pathway for stakeholders based in the North and North-West while honouring the past franchises and their proud histories.

We recognise that some individuals have engaged in negative commentary following this announcement. Basketball Tasmania remains committed to clear, constructive communication that maintains and supports the growth of our sport statewide.

While change can be challenging, this outcome ensures NBL1 basketball in the North and North West remains accessible for the entire community into the future.

The NTBC will feature balanced regional governance, equitable access to games and pathways, sustainable financial and strategic planning aligned with the Tasmanian State Government’s and Basketball Tasmania’s expectations. Importantly, it guarantees that the NBL1 pathway remains open to players from Smithton to St Helens.

We deeply value the contributions of both the Launceston Tornadoes and the North-West Thunder throughout this process and acknowledge the important role each club has played in shaping basketball in Tasmania.

Basketball Tasmania is committed to preserving, promoting, and growing basketball across the entire northern region and looks forward to working together as stewards of the game with the NTBC to continue building a strong, united and sustainable future for basketball.

Basketball Tasmania will be making no further comment.

ENDS

Editor’s Notes:

The Northern Tasmania Basketball Club (NTBC) has been established to represent both North and North West Tasmania — not just a single club or community. Key points include:

• The league requirement for a single entity to field both a men’s and women’s team underpins the formation of NTBC.
• The NTBC will host 11 home games in 2026, spread evenly between Launceston and the North West. The location of these home games can be reassessed as new and upgraded facilities become available.
• The NTBC Board and Coaching Staff will determine the most appropriate location for training sessions to ensure athlete wellbeing is prioritised. 
• NTBC will bring together representation from across the North and North-West, with an open invitation for the Thunder Board, Tornadoes Board, and other stakeholders to be actively involved.
• The club is committed to preserving and celebrating the proud legacy and history of both the Tornadoes and Thunder