Odds firm for Taipans to tip off
THE "new Taipans'" bid to play on at the elite level is firming, with officials yesterday participating in a briefing for clubs interested in entering next season's competition.
With a meeting of foundation members in Cairns tonight likely to give the green light to forming an incorporated body - Cairns Taipans Basketball Incorporated - and electing a board, the odds of the Taipans taking part in the "new National Basketball League" are firming.
Cairns Basketball president Denis Donaghy, who has spearheaded the push for community ownership of the Taipans, headed to Sydney yesterday for a briefing with Basketball Australia on completing an expression of interest to compete.
The session also attracted several parties not presently represented in the NBL, including representatives from Wellington, Newcastle and Brisbane.
Mr Donaghy said BA officials had reiterated that bids from any existing clubs that met the financial criteria for entry into the competition would automatically be accepted.
The Taipans' foundation membership drive will give them the required $500,000 working capital.
The Snakes remain in discussions with an unnamed third party to secure a $1 million bank guarantee.
The "new NBL" will also require clubs to forge stronger links with grassroots associations.
"They understand there's a great shopfront out there with the Boomers, the Opals, the NBL and the WNBL (Women's National Basketball League)," he said.
"But that shopfront has disconnected with the customers."
Tonight's meeting is at Cairns Convention Centre in meeting rooms 1 and 2, from 6.30pm.
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