The Tasmania Jewels are launching a first of its kind statewide storytelling campaign titled ‘you
can be what you can see’, featuring young Tasmanians and Jewels players.
The campaign puts a positive spin on the common saying ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’,
sending a message of inspiration and aspiration to girls and boys across Tasmania.
From today, billboards will light up in Hobart, Launceston and Devonport, with a social media
campaign, school visits, and newspaper features to follow across the next month.
The campaign features Jewels players Steph Reid, Keely Froling and Nikki Parker, along with
mini-Jewels from across Tasmania Akura Deng, seven, from Blackmans Bay, Ivy Adams, eight,
from Beaconsfield and Teneisha Richey, 12, from Penguin.
Tasmania Jewels Coach Claudia Brassard said the Tasmania Jewels are on a mission to reflect,
captivate and inspire the state.
“It will be a milestone moment for Tasmanians when the Jewels join the JackJumpers on the
national stage with the start of the WNBL season this October,” Brassard said.
“It’s a huge privilege for our Jewels players to represent Tasmania, and an important
responsibility too that’s not lost on us.
“For the first time, an entirely new generation of Tasmanians can watch an elite women’s
basketball team donning their state’s colours and playing right here at home for them.
“We do not underestimate the power of this moment. We firmly believe that when we support
elite women athletes, we support the girls and boys looking up to them too.
“That’s what the ‘you can be what you can see’ campaign is all about. We want girls and boys
across Tasmania to see the Jewels and have the innate belief that they can do anything they
dream of too. ”
Tasmania Jewels marquee player Steph Reid said when she was growing up, seeing was
believing. “You really can only be what you can see in front of you, ” Reid said.“I remember when I was little, signing up to a Michelle Timms camp. I was so excited to learn
from an Opal, plus she is short and I am short. I got her picture signed and framed it. I started to
believe that I could be an Opal too.
“Then, when I was older, we had the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and Erin Phillips did
this one hook shot, and I was like ‘how did she do that?’ I went home, and every night, I
practiced replicating it. To be able to see that in person, it was game-changing for me.
“This is what excites me about being a part of the Jewels, we have the privilege and opportunity
to be role models. The JackJumpers have been incredible for the community, and I’m really
excited to build on that with the Jewels.”
Tasmania Jewels Foundation Principal Partner St Lukes Head of Community Engagement Nikki
Long said St Lukes was excited about the new storytelling campaign.
“It’s been three decades since we last had a team in the WNBL for young Tasmanians to look
up to, and now we’ve got a shining example in the Jewels,
” Ms Long said.
“St Lukes has the vision to make Tasmania the healthiest island on the planet, and encouraging
more young people into sport is a big part of that. It’s about moving our bodies, but also about
the sense of connection and belonging we get, whether we’re playing in a local team, or uniting
as Jewels fans.
“It’s especially important for our young women to have female sporting role models. Teenage
girls drop out of sport at a much higher rate than boys. You Can Be What You Can See shows
our girls their sporting careers have a bright future, right here in Tasmania. That’s why
partnerships like this matter – they create opportunities for connection, confidence and long-
term wellbeing. ”
The Hobart billboards feature:
Akura Deng, seven years old, from Blackmans Bay
Steph Reid, Tasmania Jewels
Akura, daughter of JackJumper Majok Deng, admitted she usually spends game-time in the
kids’ playroom at the MyState Bank Arena. But, after spending the day with Steph Reid at their
photoshoot, she told her mum Nyre that she wanted to watch every Jewels game, and not go to
the playroom. The seven-year-old avid netballer is also now considering switching to
basketball, saying she wants to be a Jewel when she grows up.
The Launceston billboard features:
Ivy Adams, eight years old, from Beaconsfield
Keely Froling, Tasmania JewelsIvy, who is a talented runner from Beaconsfield, said she is considering putting her athleticism
to use as a Jewel when she grows up. The eight-year-old said she loved sport “cos it’s fun…and I
like playing sport with my friends.”
The Devonport billboard features:
Teneisha Richey, 12 years old, from Penguin
Nikki Parker, Tasmania Jewels
Teneisha, an emerging star-basketballer from Penguin in Tasmania’s north west, is currently
playing for the Ulverstone Red Hoppers. The 12-year-old said she loves sport because “being
active is good” and she loves to “meet new people.” Without prompt, the 12-year-old said her
role model is Nikki Parker, who is also from the north west and has been signed by the
Tasmania Jewels as a Development Player.
_CMYK_POS.avif)
-p-500.png)