PEOPLE power will be the key to the Taipans' survival after the launch of a grassroots membership scheme.
With a white knight nowhere to be found for the embattled National Basketball League club, Cairns Basketball officials have proposed community ownership as the best model for the club's revival and long-term survival in the "new NBL".
At least 120 people are needed to pledge $5000 each for the team to survive, and with the liquidators' deadline for sale of the club approaching, a response is needed within a week.
Cairns Basketball president Denis Donaghy was confident yesterday the critical number could be reached after an initial low-key survey asking for pledges proved successful.
“We surveyed a small number of people to see if they would join us in setting up a new not-for-profit community body to acquire the Taipans licence and seek approval from BA (Basketball Australia) for the Taipans to continue participation in the national league,” Mr Donaghy said.
"As we received an almost 100 per cent positive response to our survey, we now intend to aggressively promote the community ownership model with an optimistic expectation that at least 120 supporters will agree to contribute $5000 to be foundation members of the new Taipans.
"As every hour goes by, we're getting a little more confident. There's no champagne on ice but we think we've struck a nerve in the community.”
Criteria for entry into the new league includes working capital of $500,000 and a $1 million bank guarantee.
Mr Donaghy is in discussions about the guarantee and the scheme will not go ahead unless it is provided by a third party.
While Skytrans last week ruled out buying the club, the company has agreed to stay on board as naming-rights sponsor and chief executive Simon Wild has pledged to become a foundation member as has Federal Leichhardt MP Jim Turnour.
Mr Donaghy has stressed to potential members there will be no material return for their $5000 apart from seeing the Taipans survive.
“I've made it pretty clear this is going to be a donation,” he said. “They're not going to get a dividend and it's not sponsorship with benefits like seats or other material benefits. It’s to capitalise the start of a not-for-profit organisation.”
But the cash injection will be a one-off, with officials confident they have the ability to become a “leaner, meaner organisation” and survive into the future.
8 To become a foundation member and help save the Taipans, email Donaghy at dd@destinationcairns.com.au or admin@cairnsbasketball.com. Or call Mr Donaghy on 0417 721 772 or the Cairns Basketball office on 4041 2145. All messages will be answered.
