Thank you, Kerry

The Taipans congratulate Kerry Williams on his wonderful tenure with the Club and wish him well for his next chapter in Adelaide!

The Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans wholeheartedly thank Kerry Williams and celebrate the new chapter he will begin in the 2025-26 NBL season.

Williams began his journey with the Club as a 15-year-old when he joined the Taipans Academy, and he will now embark on a new opportunity, outside of Cairns, for the first time in his NBL career.

Williams is the exemplary role model of Cairns Basketball, playing as a junior all the way up to the Cairns Marlins. He won the ABA Championship and Queensland Basketball League twice (2004, 2007) as well as another state QBL Championship (2009) for the Marlins, before playing 105 games as a Taipan from 2008 – 2013.

At the end of his playing career, Cairns secured a role for him to head up the Taipans Indigenous Program, which Williams successfully managed and delivered for several years and has since led to other important Indigenous engagement initiatives in Far North Queensland, such as Moonlight Hoops. 

Williams’ role in the front office granted him the flexibility to develop his coaching acumen while also taking on other part-time roles such as with Basketball Queensland. He was appointed to the helm of the Cairns Marlins for the inaugural NBL1 North competition, and he has returned as the Head Coach every campaign since 2021.

The Cairns local made the move from the front office to the coaches’ office when the Taipans signed Head Coach Adam Forde for the 2021-22 NBL season, and Williams was his assistant for the following four years. He was made lead assistant last year.

The Taipans congratulate Williams for his outstanding tenure and fully support him in his decision to explore the basketball world and gain new experiences. “Kez” will forever be a part of the Cairns Taipans family, and the Club wishes him the very best.