There’s a new FORCE in Tasmanian Basketball.

Today, The Northern Tasmania Basketball Club (NTBC) has launched its new brand, name, logo and team colours. 

The Northern Force will compete in the NBL1 with their season kicking off on March 27, after The League announced the NBL1 license would be held by the newly formed NTBC. The license was shared by the Northwest Thunder and the Launceston Tornadoes until the end of the 2025 season.

The Northern Force Men’s and Women’s teams will play their home games at the Ulverstone Basketball Stadium and in Launceston at Elphin Sports Centre.

“This is an exciting time for Basketball in our end of the state.” NTBC Chairman Craig Gibson said. “The responsibility has not been lost us; we are representing the whole basketball loving region from Smithton to St Helens and we recognise the tradition of the Northwest Thunder and the Launceston Tornadoes.”

“The Jack Jumpers have the mantra to defend our island, and we are going to do the same in the North”, he added.

The Force will open their season with back-to-back games on Friday March 27 in Ulverstone against Frankston and then on Saturday March 28 at Elphin against Nunawading.

Zoe Mesman has been selected by the Force to coach the women’s team after her NBL1 coaching debut with the Tornadoes in 2025. “I’m really excited to see the club get up and going and the energy in our team is fantastic, we have a lot of work to do before opening night, and we are giving it our all.”

New Zealander Jayden Smith has been appointed the Force Men’s coach and will also coach Somerset in the NWBU.