Page 81 - Tropic Magazine Issue 21

TROPIC • SPORT

Snakes strike

After shedding its skin last
season, the new-look Cairns
Taipans team is getting
better and better as the NBL
season progresses.
The Snakes have notched up some
striking victories, creating renewed
excitement among loyal fans.
Here is how key members of the
team have reflected on their
season start.
Mike Kelly
Head coach
“It’s funny – you lose
a lead in game one,
or two, or three – and
people love to say, ‘they drop leads.’
I heard the same thing last week
because we had an eight-point lead
in the first half… that’s nothing in
basketball! We can also still come
from 15-down and make it a game.
We’re just learning to play together
and the guys are starting to believe
in each other.”

Injury prevention Scott Machado
Point guard

BETTER THAN CURE “A lot of us weren’t
here last year. So,
PhyxMe Physio’s tips for how what happened last
to safely tackle your new year’s season has nothing to do with us.
We’re a different group of guys
fitness resolution. 1 and the coach trusts us. We’re a

Entering into the warmer months is How to minimise injury risk talented team.”
usually a big motivator to get back into Pre-season screenings Mirko Djeric
shape and it’s also a time when healthy Conducted by a physio
habit new year’s resolutions are made. to assess flexibility, Shooting guard
It’s very common for physios to treat neuromuscular control, “I don’t care if I
people who go from not exercising strength, biomechanics and have 19 or 2 points
much or at all to going too hard too muscle endurance in a game. It’s not as
soon. The technical term is an increase important as getting the win for the
in the acute chronic workload ratio. Correct training equipment Cairns Taipans and the city.”
Typically, spikes in exercise load can Get fitted with correct
increase the likelihood of developing running shoes, support braces DJ Newbill
and compression supports
overuse-type injuries. Shooting guard
“I love the Cairns
PhyxMe Physiotherapy’s team is well- fans - they’re the
Common overuse injuries equipped with the knowledge and best fans in the
• Heel/foot pain (Plantar experience to help guide you through league. We’ve got the
fasciitis) a safe transition whether you’re best mascot in the league too,
• Shin splints (medial tibial returning to exercise or increasing nobody can argue with that.”
stress syndrome) your training. PhyxMe also exclusively
• Runner’s knee stocks Swiss-engineered On running Kouat Noi
• (iliotibial band syndrome/ shoes in Cairns, as well as having a Forward
patellofemoral pain syndrome) comprehensive range of braces and “No other rookie
• Jumper’s knee compression sleeves. in the NBL can
(patellar tendinopathy) guard me.”
• Swimmer’s shoulder MORE: phyxme.com.au
(shoulder impingement) MORE: taipans.com
1. On running shoes

81 • tropicnow.com.au