Cairns Taipans' plans win over NBL
METICULOUS planning and investing in the community has helped the Cairns Taipans stay in the National Basketball League for next season.
Cairns was among nine teams named for the NBL’s 2010-11 season, with the reborn Sydney Kings joining last season's eight teams in the new competition.
Pictures: Cairns Taipans 2009-10
While the Taipans have not met the league's financial criteria, team officials convinced Basketball Australia and the NBL commission members ruling on the competition make-up that they could meet the targets given more time.
Taipans president Denis Donaghy said the club had been honest with the league, first advising it of their financial concerns last November.
"They've showed that they can and they will (meet the financial criteria)," BA chief executive Larry Sengstock said of the Taipans.
"We were very comfortable with all the work that’s gone on from a financial point of view.
"But also their work in the community.
"That was good, but from a professional business position, we were just very comfortable with (the submission)."
Mr Donaghy said once the Taipans realised they could present a balanced budget and the required $1 million guarantee, they worked towards the $500,000 capital needed and provided the league with a detailed plan of how they would meet the target.
"I think because we were up front with them all the way down the line, they trusted us and trusted the information we were giving them," Mr Donaghy said.
"The message was consistent all the way through because we're telling the truth."
The Taipans had argued their battle to climb out of administration and get a team on court to ensure the 2009-10 season could go ahead should be rewarded by BA.
Mr Sengstock agreed, but urged the community to continue to support the Taipans as well as it had in the past 15 months.
"We want to make sure everyone continues all that hard work," he said.
"They ticked all of those boxes in terms of … being an integral part in the way the community operates which I think is important, especially in the regional centres."
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Big shoes to fill: Taipans fans, including Christopher van Bael, 7 and Riley Chapman, 8, cannot wait to see their heroes back on the court next season in the NBL. Picture: MIKE WATT
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