'Play hard for Tasmanians': Jewels lay foundations for success

The 2026-27 season is going to be a historic one for the Tasmania Jewels, as they prepare to hit the WNBL court for the first time.

The enormity of the moment in the state's sporting history isn't lost on their inaugural coach, Claudia Brassard, who is confident her side can play basketball that the whole state is proud of.

"We understand what we mean to the state, so we want to represent Tasmania the best we can," Brassard said on The Loop.

"That starts with competing, playing tough and being resilient every time we play.

"If we make connections early and build that trust among one another, that will go a long way to us being successful.

"As important as it is to be successful on the court, we need to also be off the court, connecting to the community [in any way we can].

"There's an incredible amount of excitement around the whole state, and we can't wait to play in front of our fans very soon."

The Canadian-born Australian has an illustrious coaching record, leading the Townsville Fire to a Championship WNBL season in 2018 as Head Coach, and securing back-to-back championships as Assistant Coach in 2016 and 2015.

Not only that, Brassard has more than 20 years' experience at the highest level of basketball, with 150 international games, including the 2000 Olympic Games and World Championships.

With that resume, she's hopeful she can add to the growing Tasmanian basketball legacy, established by the Jewels' NBL counterparts, the JackJumpers.

"What the club is building was a huge attraction to me joining them," she said.

"You see how successful the men's team are, with their vision of Defending the Island, playing hard for Tasmanians and being connected to the community.

"Spending time in Townsville, there are similarities to it with Hobart [and the rest of Tasmania], with it being rural, and I'm excited to pitch in and help make this program even more successful."

Part of the club being successful on the court has been attracting top-level talent, including Australian Opals trio Steph Reid, Keely Froling and Darcee Garbin.

"We were really intentional [in our recruitment], and it's not often in your life or in your career you get an opportunity to handpick everyone in your team," she said.

"It's a wonderful opportunity, and I feel really privileged to do that.

"Particularly with our leadership group, we've recruited three veterans, and they've all won championships.

"I know all three really well, and there is already that trust there, as I know they can help us drive that player-led accountability and culture that we want here at the Jewels.

"They're all hard workers, with that understanding of performing in a high-stakes environment and can set the tone of the behaviours [we want our club to represent]."

Joining those three Opals on the Jewels inaugural roster will be Brooke Basham, Chloe Broomhall, Portia Chopping, Katie Deeble, Mia Jacobs, Gianna Kneepkens, Ava McDonald, Taylor Mole, Nikki Parker, Andie Smith, Georgia Taylor and Ella Tofaeono.

The Jewels' first-ever game is against Geelong on October 15 at MyState Bank Arena.