Minister selects potential new Snakes home court

Queensland Sports Minister Mick de Brenni has floated a possible alternative location to play Cairns Taipans’ NBL home games in the 2020-21 campaign.

The Cairns Conventions Centre is currently undergoing a $176 million redevelopment by the Queensland Government, which will see critical facilities replaced and refurbished and the floor space expanded. Construction Manager for Land Lease Jason Mulcahy and Queensland Minister Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni look out over the new reception area. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE.

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IT COULD be out of the Snakepit and into the Fish Tank, says Sports Minister Mick de Brenni, who has floated the home of Cairns Basketball as a new home for the Taipans next season.

Tai Wynyard shoots the ball in the National Basketball League (NBL) match between the Cairns Taipans and the Adelaide 36ers, held at the Cairns Convention Centre. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE.

The Cairns Convention Centre’s unavailability for NBL games until February 4 due to the COVID-19 crisis is one of the reasons for the 65-day delay to the Snakes’ home.

The community-owned club is desperate for home games to be played in FNQ, declaring it could be a dire situation if they were forced to take games elsewhere.

De Brenni has met with the Snakes and Lendlease twice over the last 24 hours and said they were looking at a number of different options to play games in Cairns, including the Fish Tank.

The National Basketball League (NBL) match between the Cairns Taipans and the Adelaide 36ers, held at the Cairns Convention Centre. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

The Fish Tank is already used as the club’s training facility, as well as hosting QBL games and local basketball.

With the QBL being transformed into NBL1 North in 2020, the Fish Tank was set for an upgrade to bring it to broadcast standard for that league, and would again need more improvements to host premier NBL games.

De Brenni says an outcome is needed sooner rather than later, with an announcement to be made very soon.

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“I met with the Taipans twice and the conversations have been extremely productive,” he said. “What I shared with the Taipans is that we understand how critically important it is for the club, and for Cairns broadly, that they are able to play as many of their matches as possible on their home ground.

“There is a number of options being considered, with the support of the government for the Taipans, all of those options will require further work and that work is happening as we speak.

“Where the Taipans play will be a decision for the Taipans, what we have got to do is ensure that we support them to identify options to play here.

“The more games they can play in Cairns will be better for their player roster and a better outcome for the fans. We will do whatever it takes to make sure they have the options available for them.”

Taipans vice-president and treasurer Ross Moller said he was not involved in discussions with the State Government, with president Troy Stone and CEO Mark Beecroft leading the charge for the club.

Stone was contacted for comment.

Daniel Marano proposed to his girlfriend Jazmin Bamborough during a time out at the Cairns Taipans game last Friday night. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE.

The club sent out a release on Thursday afternoon.

“The Cairns Taipans have met with representatives from the Queensland State Government this week and continue to work with all relevant parties (the Department of Housing and Public Works, Lendlease, the NBL and the convention centre) daily to determine the most feasible outcome for the upcoming season,” it said in a statement.

“While a range of options are currently being considered, the priority remains playing as many games in Cairns as possible – with the primary considerations being the direct local economic benefits and the loyal basketball fanbase.

“The Taipans look forward to negotiations with the Queensland State Government progressing in the coming days.”

Sending the Cairns Taipans on the road for the first few weeks of the season may be another answer to the club’s homelessness woes, brought on by delays to the convention centre renovation.

The 2020-21 NBL competition is due to start in early December and will run through to April.

Taking Taipans matches to Townsville had been flagged as an option but de Brenni said he was a “firm believer” the games should be held in Cairns.

He said any decision would be made in conjunction with the club, the NBL, Cairns mayor Bob Manning and tourism leaders.

Fans launched a petition last month calling on the State Government to keep the games in Cairns.

Originally published as Minister selects potential new Snakes home court