Page 74 - Tropic Magazine Issue 16

LIFESTYLE • SPORT

Speaking from
the heart

KELLY COMMENTS
In this special column
CQUniversity Cairns Taipans
head coach Mike Kelly reflects
on the journey so far.

You never know how a season will play
out until you’re in the thick of it. The
NBL is an excellent competition and Behind the scenes we’ve been building, So now, we concentrate on finishing
it’s always hard to guess which teams and I know as we continue to get the season strong - competing and
will impress, and which ones will fall better defensively, we’ve been growing winning games is still our goal, player
short of expectations. It’s amazing offensively. Trying to build culture performance is still a priority, and
how many little details go into building off the court and the chemistry on ensuring we continue to get the best
a team that is ready to win games in the court doesn’t happen overnight. practices and protocols in place for now
this league. I am thankful and proud Continuity for a team is important and and the future is always a focus. Culture
of everyone associated with the this season is just the start. comes before a Championship.
CQUniversity Cairns Taipans club for Defeating Brisbane to start 2019 in I really want to see you at our last
their efforts this year. front of an awesome home crowd was couple of home games, grab yourselves
To say the least, this season has been special. It was spontaneous, but I had a membership during the off-season,
full of ups and downs. We started to speak to the fans in the stadium and and follow along as we build our
with an almost entirely new roster, say thank you after the game. Loyalty in 2019/20 campaign over the winter. It’s
and as a new head coach I have been sports these days is a rare commodity going to be a fun ride!
working with new assistants and staff but the people of Cairns have shown
for the first time in a new place. That’s their respect for this team in droves,
not to say that this season’s record win or lose. I don’t take any of our
was predicted. The team and I have supporters for granted. Cairns has
gone into every game prepared and welcomed me and my family with open
expecting to win. I did not anticipate arms and I really want their team to do
a losing record or to come up short the well. I take responsibility for that.
amount we did - the majority of the
losses have been close and we went to
overtime several times.
I really like the team we have - they
are a talented group and play with a The team and I have
lot of energy and passion every single gone into every game
day. We’ve got a great mix of youth and
experience. They are also a great bunch prepared and
of guys and this season has been tough
on them too. It’s been frustrating not expecting to win.
to get the consistent payoff in wins
that they have fought for week in and
week out.

74 • Tropic • Issue 16