New Era Begins: NTBC's First-Ever NBL1 South Head Coaches

The Northern Tasmania Basketball Club (NTBC) has officially laid the foundations for its inaugural NBL1 South campaign, announcing Zoe Mesman and Jayden Smith as the Club’s first-ever women’s and men’s head coaches for the NBL1 South 2026 season.

As a newly formed club preparing to enter the national NBL1 landscape for the first time, these appointments mark a defining milestone in NTBC’s establishment, setting the leadership standards and cultural foundations for basketball across Northern Tasmania.

Zoe Mesman has been appointed as NTBC’s inaugural Women’s NBL1 South Head Coach, bringing extensive elite-level playing and coaching experience, including at NBL1 level. A highly respected figure within Tasmanian basketball, Mesman’s appointment follows significant positive feedback from athletes under her leadership in recent seasons.

“It’s a privilege to be trusted with guiding this new chapter for basketball in Northern Tasmania,” Mesman said. “I’ve watched many of the female athletes grow as players over the past few years and I’m excited to be working with Tasmania’s emerging talent as we build something special together.”

NTBC President Craig Gibson said the Board had full confidence in Mesman to lead the women’s program through its critical foundation phase.

“Zoe is a proven leader with a clear understanding of how Tasmanian athletes develop through our pathways,” Gibson said. “She has demonstrated her commitment to strengthening women’s basketball, and we unanimously felt she was the right person to set the program up for success from day one.”

Mesman has already begun shaping the program, leading female player trials in Launceston and Latrobe, and will continue working closely with the Club’s selection committee as squad formation progresses.

On the men’s side, NTBC has appointed Jayden Smith as its inaugural Men’s NBL1 South Head Coach. Smith brings more than a decade of coaching experience across professional, university and representative pathways, most recently serving as an Assistant Coach with the highly successful Wellington Saints in New Zealand.

“Jayden is a coach who brings both substance and ambition,” Gibson said. “He understands professional standards and shares our vision for building a team and culture Northern Tasmania can be proud of. He is exactly the kind of coach who grows with a program.”

Smith said the opportunity to help shape a brand-new NBL1 South club was a challenge he was eager to embrace.

“I’m really excited to be joining the Northern Tasmania Basketball Club,” Smith said. “Northern Tasmania is a proud basketball community, and I look forward to building a team that reflects work ethic, character, and competitive spirit.”

As part of his transition into Tasmanian basketball, Smith will also take on a head coaching role with the Somerset Amateur Basketball Association in the North West Basketball Union.

NTBC also acknowledged the contributions of Brett Smith and Phil Thomas, who both played key roles in the men’s program recruitment process, including serving on the interview panel and delivering recent player trials to a high standard.

With both inaugural head coaches now confirmed, NTBC’s foundation phase is well and truly underway as preparations continue for its historic first season in the NBL1 South competition.

The NBL1 South 2026 season tips off on Friday 27th March 2026. For all the latest updates, including player signings, coaching appointments and league news, make sure you’re following NBL1 South on Facebook and Instagram.