Following strict COVID border restrictions in Western Australia, the Perth Wildcats are one of many WA sporting franchises looking to continue their season interstate. In late 2021, the Wildcats temporarily relocated to Tasmania as they push for their 36th straight playoff appearance.
We caught up with Danny Mills, the Wildcats General Manager of Basketball Operations, to discuss how the team is enjoying their time in Tasmania, managing a COVID outbreak s, and evaluating the Tasmania JackJumpers debut NBL season so far.
Relocating to Tasmania
In late 2021 most Australian states had announced plans to ease their border restrictions by the end of December. However, following the emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, WA announced it would not be easing border restrictions until February.
The decision to relocate the Wildcats to Tasmania came as the NBL was looking to negotiate home games for Perth through WA’s border arrangements. They announced the Wildcats would begin the season playing five home games in Perth. Then relocate to Tasmania for six-weeks of away games, before returning to Perth on 5 February to coincide with WA easing its border restrictions.
However, now that return has been delayed following the WA Government’s decision to indefinitely delay the reopening of WA’s borders. The Wildcats have advised they have begun discussions with the NBL, WA Police and the WA Government to formulate a strategy on a return to WA and playing games at Perth Arena.
While a return date is being negotiated, Hobart has become the Wildcats home away from home. Danny Mills explained how the Wildcats ties with current JackJumpers coaching staff and players have helped the Wildcats settle into Hobart.
“Simon Brookhouse, the JackJumpers CEO has been great. Obviously we’ve got quite a bit of synergy Scott Roth and Jacob Chance previously being with us and knowing a lot about group,” Danny Mills said.
“They’ve been great sharing facilities, the NBL obviously being involved with JackJumpers and having control of MyState Bank Arena helps. So we’ve got two facilities here at Kingsborough and MyState bank Arena where we can practice. Hobart’s a pretty good spot being January. So it’s worked out well.”
We're feeling the love, Red Army. ❤️
— Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) January 25, 2022
Thank you for your incredible messages of support, they are on display in the Wildcats Team Room in Hobart. pic.twitter.com/z6KE6hSov3
Managing COVID outbreaks within the team
The Wildcats Hobart hub started well, with the team traveling to Cairns for a New Years Eve game for a hard fought win against the Taipans. However, a number of positive COVID cases emerged as the team returned to Hobart. The cases eventually spread to 12 in the squad, an upcoming away game in Adelaide was the first of several games postponed, as the team moved into isolation.
“We kind of knew this was going to happen. Once they took us out of Perth it was going to happen eventually. I thought maybe we could hang on a little longer than one game. But it’s tough when you’re in this area of the country where things are firing off,” Wildcats Coach Scott Morrison said.
“We have a pretty decent situation here (in Tasmania) all things considered. If you’re going to get stuck quarantining somewhere, I’d rather be here than Adelaide”.
Embed from Getty ImagesFollowing an isolation period in their Hobart accommodation, the Wildcats eventually got to Adelaide on 18 January to take on the 36ers.
Tasmania JackJumpers performance so far
After originally joining the Wildcats training squad in 2002-03, Danny Mills has returned to the Perth Wildcats in the front office this season. Bringing 12 years of international basketball experience with him, Mills has worked at all levels of basketball, including US college, Europe, G-League, NBA and National teams. He most recently worked for the Philadelphia 76ers as Director of Scouting .
He flew into Tasmania from the US in November for the pre-season Blitz Tournament, where he met the Wildcats team for the first time. Back in the state again, he’s been impressed with what the JackJumpers have achieved in their short existence.
“It’s an awesome story for the NBL to get a franchise down here. I think I think they’ve ticked all the boxes they hoped they would in year one,” Danny Mills said.
“They had a window of about 18 months to build up to game one, the facility at MyState Bank Arena is incredible. I think it’s the perfect size for Hobart, and the fact that they’ve been able to fill it to 100% capacity for nearly every game.
Embed from Getty Images“It’s not easy, coming into the NBL and building a roster from scratch and trying to have to go into free agency signing guys to a new team.
“It’s always going to be hard the first year. But the way they play, they play really hard, they play a fast up and down style of basketball, which I think the fans appreciate.
“They’ve got to beat some really good teams and the NBL’s a tough league. There are 10 teams in the league and every away game is really difficult.
Embed from Getty ImagesDanny Mills also noted the JackJumpers connection to the Tasmanian community and similarities to what the Wildcats have built in Western Australia.
“I think for year one, what Simon Brookhouse and their team, and then obviously Scott Roth and his coaching staff have done, I think they should really be commended for that. Because it seems like they’ve got the whole public behind them, and that’s great for any sporting club in Australia. You have to nail that the grassroots level and community and build from there.
“And obviously, we’ve been fortunate the Wildcats, the way they’ve built it for 40 years now. Where the club is, I think if Tassie can continue what they’re doing, I think they’re going to have success. And that shouldn’t be something that stays with you for the long run. It’s great for the state. They produce a lot of really good basketballers,” Danny Mills said.
