The Skytrans Cairns Taipans in partnership with Cairns Basketball, successfully launched the 2010 ‘Tiny Taipans’ Autumn season program last Saturday. 85-kids aged 5 years old to 9 years old attended the Bendigo Bank Basketball Centre and started the program which is based on Basketball Australia’s Aussie Hoops pathway model.
The ‘Tiny Taipans’ program focuses on the development of fundamental basketball skills for young kids and is facilitated by Skytrans Cairns Taipans Head Coach Aaron Fearne, Assistant Coach Mick Downer and Cairns Basketball Development Officer Travis Thorne.
Each Tiny Taipans session is conducted at the Fish Tank from 8am-9am on Saturday mornings where kids participate in skills, drills & games spread across three air-conditioned courts.
Skytrans Taipans players Aaron Grabau, Dwayne Vale & Gary Boodnikoff were also on hand at the first session of the 14-session initiative and more Taipans players will continue to attend sessions throughout the duration of the program.
Skytrans Cairns Taipans Community & Operations Manager Joel Khalu said it was very important that there was a strong focus on the continual development of the Tiny Taipans program.
“If we plan on growing sustainable participation numbers in the sport, it has to start with this grassroots age-group,” Khalu said.
“If we can get these kids to enjoy all the benefits and fun of playing basketball at this age, they became players for life and that is not only a benefit for the Taipans but Cairns Basketball and the city as well.”
“To have 85 kids participating in week one is phenomenal. It’s a true credit to the hard work that the Taipans players and Development Officer Travis Thorne have been doing in FNQ schools.”
“The best part of all though is these kids are learning from National Basketball League players and coaches. There wouldn’t be too many situations around the country where NBL coaches and players help kids this young learn the game week in and week out,” Khalu added.
The next Tiny Taipans session will be held on Saturday, March 13 with any new players encouraged to attend.
For more information or to register please contact Travis Thorne on (07) 4041-2145 or travis@taipans.com.
SKYTRANS CAIRNS TAIPANS – 100% COMMUNITY
