From Hardware Store to Hoops Haven: How Swisherr is Transforming Tasmanian Basketball

Mar 6

3 min read

How Swisherr is Transforming Tasmanian Basketball

Hobart’s old K&D Warehouse was once a go-to spot for hardware supplies, but today, it’s home to something entirely different—Swisherr Hoops Academy, Tasmania’s leading basketball training facility. Co-founded by former NBL star Mark Nash, Swisherr has rapidly become a hub for the state’s booming basketball community, offering courts, training programs, and development pathways for players of all ages.

The Birth of Swisherr Hoops

Swisherr’s origins trace back to a simple yet pressing problem—a lack of accessible indoor basketball courts in Tasmania. Nash, alongside former teammate Anthony Stewart and ex-Tasmanian Premier David Bartlett, initially sought to create small, self-contained shooting facilities inside old squash courts.

“During COVID, we were trying to problem-solve because we all had kids similar age, and there were just no spaces to get shots up,” Nash recalled. “So we got access to an old squash court, put a hoop on the wall, added LED lighting, and set up a ball-return machine. It was a simple idea, but it worked.”

What started as a single shooting lab soon snowballed into a full-scale basketball facility. When the University of Tasmania delayed plans for the K&D site’s redevelopment, Swisherr seized the opportunity to transform the massive warehouse into a three-court basketball center.

“We thought we’d just put in a couple of half-courts,” Nash said, “but as we walked through the building, we realized—why not go bigger? Now we’ve got three full courts, eleven rings, and the place is packed from morning to night.”

A Community-Driven Success

Swisherr isn’t just about elite training—it’s about community access. Unlike traditional stadiums that cater mainly to teams and leagues, Swisherr operates on a flexible model where individuals can book courts for casual shooting, training, or games.

“If you show up at 6:30 AM, you’re too late to get a court,” Nash said. “It’s amazing to see how much demand there is. Kids come in before school, get up 500 shots, then head off to class. After school, it’s packed until 11 PM.”

The academy also runs elite training programs, school partnerships, and even interstate and international tours for young Tasmanian players.

The Challenge: Tasmania’s Court Shortage

Despite Swisherr’s success, Tasmania remains critically short on basketball facilities. A recent Basketball Tasmania report found that the state needs at least 31 additional courts to meet growing demand. Nash believes Swisherr’s model could be part of the solution.

“You don’t need a $50 million stadium to provide access to courts,” Nash explained.

“We’ve proven that you can repurpose existing buildings in a cost-effective way. Our focus is making basketball more accessible without breaking the bank.”

Swisherr’s current site, however, is temporary. The K&D building is slated for redevelopment in the near future, and Nash and his team are already exploring their next move.

“We’d love to find another warehouse to convert into a long-term home,” Nash said. “We’re talking to councils, local government, and potential partners. Basketball is exploding here, and we want to make sure there are enough courts for everyone who wants to play.”

A Bright Future for Tasmanian Hoops

Swisherr’s impact extends beyond just basketball—it’s fostering a new generation of Tasmanian athletes with dreams of playing at the highest level. With the JackJumpers inspiring fans across the state and talks of a women’s NBL team on the horizon, basketball in Tasmania is thriving like never before.

“Twenty years ago, we lost the Tassie Devils, and for a long time, it felt like professional basketball had left the state behind,” Nash said. “Now, with the JackJumpers, the Chargers, and Swisherr, we’ve built something that can last. The game is bigger than ever, and we’re just getting started.”

March on, JackJumpers!