CQUniversity-Taipans partnership to nurture next generation of basketball talent
Published on 02 May, 2012
A landmark partnership between CQUniversity Australia and the Skytrans Cairns Taipans is set to secure the future of basketball talent in the Cairns region - and hopefully change a few lives in the process...
The CQUniversity Taipans Academy - the latest incarnation of the youth basketball program first established in 2001 - will return to action in 2012 thanks to a two-year, naming rights sponsorship deal between the two organisations.
CQUniversity Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman said the partnership, which includes an initial $50,000 commitment from the University, supported CQUni's philosophy of "giving back" to local communities it operates in.
"CQUniversity aims to be Australia's most engaged university, and that includes strong, genuine community engagement wherever the University has a presence," Professor Bowman said.
"With around 350 distance education students already enrolled in the Cairns region, and a brand new study centre set to open in 2012, it's only right that we give back to Cairns through initiatives such as the CQUniversity Taipans Academy.
"This is an investment in the grassroots of the game. For many young people in the Cairns region and the Indigenous communities of Cape York, the opportunity to join the Academy will be life-changing."
In past years, the Taipans Academy has produced such national basketball stars as Nathan Jawai, Aron Baynes and Kerry Williams - and Mark Beecroft, General Manager of the Skytrans Cairns Taipans, said the CQUniversity partnership should see this trend continue.
"The Taipans are a community-owned club and just like CQUniversity, we are in the business of developing and educating the future leaders of our community," Mr Beecroft said.
"With a new sponsor in place, the CQUniversity Taipans Academy can now get back to the business of teaching basketball skills - and, just as importantly, life skills - to our region's talented young people.
"The sponsorship deal with CQUniversity will allow the Taipans to employ a second assistant coach, who will oversee the CQUniversity Taipans Academy, and work with Cairns Basketball's junior coaches on strategy.
"Cairns' junior basketballers and coaches will now have the opportunity to access and learn from a full-time National Basketball League coach, something a lot of other clubs don't have as a resource.
"This is a massive step in the right direction for the Taipans, and I am really looking forward to working closely with CQUniversity as this partnership develops."
Head Coach of the Skytrans Cairns Taipans, Aaron Fearne, echoed Mr Beecroft's sentiments.
"For CQUniversity to come to Cairns and support grassroots community sport in this way, it really is a sign of respect and a vote of confidence in our club and our city," Mr Fearne said.
"The work we do in the Academy is so important - not only are we working with these young athletes on the court and in the weight room, but we are also teaching them how to be responsible adults and prepare for life as a professional sportsperson."
Further afield, CQUniversity is engaging with community sport in Rockhampton, as a partner of the CQ NRL national rugby league team bid, as well as undertaking a feasibility study for a multi-million dollar community sports hub at CQUniversity Mackay.
"Sport is a great leveller and, in CQUniversity's case, so is education. As one of Australia's most inclusive universities, we want to even the playing field for people from all walks of life, so engaging in community sport is a natural fit for us," Professor Bowman said.
- CQUniversity is Australia's most diverse university with around 20,000 students enrolled via distance education and located at campuses, support hubs and research centres stretching the length of the Queensland coast and in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. Find out more at http://www.cqu.edu.au/