FORMER Taipans captain Martin Cattalini says he is "extremely hopeful" Cairns is among the clubs announced on Thursday to play in the NBL's 2010-11 season.
Basketball Australia will announce the line-up on Thursday, with the Taipans hopeful of being among those called out given its commitment to continue to work towards meeting all financial criteria.
Pictures: Cairns Taipans 2009-10
Cattalini spent four seasons in Cairns, helping the club to the semi-finals in 2006 and 2007. He also experienced the hard times at the club and became a foundation member last year, pledging $5000 to help the Taipans survive after the club was placed in administration.
Moving back to Western Australia to be closer to family was a decision made before the Taipans hit trouble and Cattalini, who won a fourth NBL title when his Perth Wildcats beat Wollongong on Friday night, wants Cairns to continue to thrive.
"I am extremely hopeful (Cairns will be named as part of the new NBL), especially after seeing what Wollongong did this year," Cattalini said. "They (the Hawks) were in exactly the same position as Cairns.
"I think (the Taipans) are there already. I’d be shocked if they weren’t in next year."
Cattalini returned to Cairns twice throughout the season – the Wildcats going down both times to the Taipans – and seemed humbled by the response to his return.
"They showed a lot of support for me – it was nice, I didn’t expect it," he said of the Cairns crowd.
