The Rudd Government is providing $10,000 for a new program to reward Indigenous secondary students who perform well at school with season tickets to Cairns Taipans basketball games.

The Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, and the Member for Leichhardt, Jim Turnour, today announced the funding, which forms a part of the Cairns Taipans’ Community Rewards Program.

“Through the scheme, tickets to Taipans’ home games will be given to students who regularly attend school, behave well and also maintain good physical education and academic standards,” Ms Macklin said.

“The Australian Government will continue to work in partnership with the community to support and encourage kids to enjoy the benefits of sport and take advantage of everything that school offers.

“Sport can be a powerful tool to transform kids' lives and expand life chances for
young Indigenous people. This program was developed by Nathan Jawai, an Indigenous basketballer who began his profession career in Cairns and has since gone on to play at the highest level in the NBA.

“Nathan is a great role model and is to be congratulated for his contributions to the program,” Ms Macklin said.

Mr Turnour said the new funding was a great outcome for local Indigenous students. “The Rudd Government has supported basketball development programs in the past through the very successful Hoops Dreaming project, which runs mentoring programs for young Indigenous people in Cairns,” Mr Turnour said.

“We welcome the opportunity to continue our association with this major national sport in the Cairns region. “The Community Rewards Program encourages local students to try hard at school and I encourage all schools in Cairns to register for the program.”

M e d i a R e l e a s e

JENNY MACKLIN MP
Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

JIM TURNOUR MP
Member for Leichardt