Page 72 - Tropic Magazine Issue 13

TAIPANS 20 TH SEASON ANNIVERSARY

ADAM GOWLETT KAREN MOUNSEY
Adam believes that everyone should be able to find at least one Secretary Karen believes the club’s strong strategic view, agility and
thing they can give back to the community, and as such ensures courage to adapt to the changing NBL direction reflects the club’s integrity,
he provides a service to the Taipans. spirit and relationships shared with sponsors and the community.

MIKE SCOTT
Mike is a stalwart of
Cairns Basketball,
and proudly watches
the Taipans grow in
conjunction with the
growth in participation
at all levels of local
basketball.

TROY STONE ROSS MOLLER
Troy is a major sponsor, Treasurer Ross has
season ticket holder and been involved with the
passionate fan. Stone is Taipans since 1999 as
committed to the long-term a foundation member,
success and viability of the season ticket holder and
team, and takes a great deal sponsor. Moller believes
of pride in the way the Board his greatest achievement
operates. is helping the club
achieve and maintain
financial stability.
Board behind the brand
Not pictured: Gavin Third and Steve O’Malley
We sit down with the Cairns Taipans board about the club’s
evolution over the past two decades.

As the only community-owned club in by President Troy Stone of the Telstra of changes have been imposed which
the NBL, the Cairns Taipans currently Business Centre, the Board consists has proven to be a challenge for all
operate under a not-for-profit model of Treasurer Ross Moller of LJ Hooker clubs. To meet these challenges, the
overseen by a Board. In the first years Edge Hill, Secretary Karen Mounsey of Taipans Board need the ability to seek
of becoming “community-owned,” Apunipima Cape York Health Council new members who have specific skills
members were very involved with the and general board members Mike Scott to ensure the growth of the club into
club on a day-to-day basis. As the Taipans of Cairns Basketball, Adam Gowlett of the future. Constitutional changes are
have evolved, the Board has stepped back David McCoy Homes, Gavin Third of required for this to happen, given the
from the operations and now focus on Subway, and Steve O’Malley of Cairns current framework only allows financial
the strategic direction of the club moving Adventure Group. foundation members to nominate as a
forward. The NBL has seen significant changes Board member.
The current board is comprised of local since the Taipans’ debut season, The current Board has put together
talent from around Cairns with a passion in particular since Melbourne proposed amendments after focus
for basketball and a commitment to businessman Larry Kestelman took a groups of both Foundation and
keeping the Taipans competitive. Led 51% share of the league in 2015. A raft Syndicate members were conducted.

CORPORATE SUPPORT / Paying tribute with some of the Taipan’s key backers

Ireland’s of Cairns Cairns Total Physio
The Cairns Taipans were proposed as an entrant to the NBL Cairns Total Physio has proudly been the official
in 1997. Richard and his father Ron invested in the venture physiotherapy provider for the Taipans for the past 14
and Richard joined the Board. Ireland’s commenced their years, with our director Tom Maher working as the team’s
sponsorship at that time and also started The Ireland’s Cup, Head Physiotherapist through the highs and lows the
awarded to the winning team of the “First Match Played in club has endured. Among his many highlights, Tom was
Cairns” each season between the Taipans and Townsville instrumental in treating Mark Worthington’s shoulder
Crocodiles. Richard and Ron sold their financial interest in the injury during the 2016/17 season, allowing him to clock up
team to local interests in the 2003/4 season. Richard, Ron and 327 games in his NBL career. Cairns Total Physio will again
David Ireland later stepped in to help fund the Community assist the team during the 2018/19 season. Best of luck for a
Ownership of the club. big year ahead!

72 • Tropic • Issue 14