Page 64 - Tropic Magazine Issue 33

TROPIC • SPORT

Connected

and ready

NBL
The Cairns Taipans prepared
for their 2021/22 season with
a bonding session at the tip of
Australia and some tough on-
court sessions.
Words: Renee Cluff 1
Sitting under ocean-side palm trees and 1. Taipans centre Nate Jawai and kids on the pre-
watching traditional dancing at the most season trip to his hometown 2. Taipans import Tahjere
northern part of the Australian mainland McCall with kids at Bamaga
might seem as far away from the glaring
lights of an NBL basketball court as you
can get. However, a trip to Bamaga at the
tip of Cape York formed an integral part
of the Cairns Taipans’ preparations for
the 2021/22 season. Embracing the chaos and
The hometown of centre Nate Jawai living with a level of stress 2
played host to the players for three days will translate better in a
in what proved to be a memorable and
bonding experience for the side, which game Upcoming
recently welcomed a handful of new Adam Forde home fixtures
players. “We’re trying to set a foundation Head Coach
really for the season,” said head coach Tasmania Jack
Adam Forde. “We’ve connected with Nate, “We want to be the intimidator; we don’t 11 DEC Jumpers
connected with community and country want to be the intimidated.”
and it’s all been about team bonding.” The coach, as well as players, are 18 DEC Adelaide 36ers
However, it wasn’t all about indulging in shrugging off betting agency predictions
fresh seafood and socialising, with the that the Taipans won’t make the playoffs. New Zealand
players also taking part in beach fitness Point guard Scott Machado is embracing 31 DEC Breakers
sessions and on-court clinics with the underdog status. “They can keep us at
local kids. Coach Forde said back in the bottom,” he said. “That’s alright. We’re 08 JAN South East
Cairns, it was strictly return-to-business coming out to compete once and for all.” Melbourne Phoenix
as training sessions stepped up a notch.
“I want us to be able to operate in a level MORE: taipans.com 11 JAN Brisbane Bullets
of stress,” he said.

Celebrating
12 months
as Ree’s
Bookshop

Showgrounds Shopping Centre | 157 Mulgrave Rd Cairns QLD 4870 | Ph: 0428 711 178

64 • Tropic • Issue 33