DUSTY Rychart admits relief was the overwhelming emotion when he learned of the Taipans' re-admission to the NBL during the off-season.

Relief at not having to look for another team, move to another town and learn another system.

After playing at three clubs in three seasons, Rychart was hoping for a bit of stability and is glad to be back in Cairns, even if it does mean a lung-busting pre-season training regime.

"It’s never easy (waiting to hear on the future of your team).

"In the nine years I’ve been in the league, every club I’ve been on, you never know if there’s going to be a next season," said Rychart, who has had stints with the Victoria Giants, Adelaide, Brisbane, Wollongong and Cairns.

"Financially clubs are not that sustainable and they’re not that strong in Australia – the clubs I’ve been on especially – and it’s just something that you get used to, but it’s never easy.

"You just never know, you just cross your fingers and hope.

"Thanks goodness the NBL has given us a shot and we’re part of the nine-team league."

Rychart, who joined the Taipans last season from Wollongong, had been assured of another year with the club as long as Basketball Australia gave Cairns the green light in their new competition.

When news of their entry came through, Rychart said his first feeling was one of relief rather than elation.

"It was pretty much just relief – you don’t have to look for another team, you don’t have to learn a new system, you don’t have to get used to new players or a community again," he said.

"As a player it’s hard, it usually takes a year to adjust to a new team, new people and players.

"It’s been a while since I’ve been on a team for two years in a row, so I’m pretty happy actually."

Rychart was named the Taipans’ MVP last season after a stellar year and he will have plenty of competition to hold on to his title after the Snakes’ aggressive work in the recruitment market over the off-season.

The Taipans have added former Gold Coast guard Ayinde Ubaka as one of their two allowed imports, as well as managing to lure Boomers forward Alex Loughton home from Spain and are close to signing a second import.

"Ubaka’s definitely an upgrade and hopefully he can bring us that penetrating guard we needed last year and loosen up the defence for the shooters and the finishers," Rychart said. "And Alex comes in as a solid four guy and as an Australian that gives us a plus that if we can find a second import that can come in we’ll have a pretty decent bench and a pretty good starting five."

With a core of players from last year’s team already familiar with Fearne’s system, things are looking up for the Snakes.

"Last year there were guys that had run the system with Fearney before in the Marlins but now at least five of us know what it is and know what they expect of us," Rychart said.

"For me, individually, it’s going to be a lot easier because I know what to expect and with a year (in this system) under my belt, I know where you’re going to get your shots at and what’s going to be successful.

"So hopefully, I’ll improve as well as the rest of the team."

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