Staying power: Forde leads Taipans into bold new chapter

Adam Forde is officially back. The 2023 Coach of the Year has re-committed to the Cairns Taipans and will continue at the helm.

After initially choosing not to extend at the end of last season, Forde stayed on at the club in a new consultation role that also saw him help shape the roster going forward.

In recent months, the club has been working diligently behind the scenes to reshape the future of the Taipans, with a focus on potential privatisation.

"It’s worth noting that Adam has not just walked back into his old job – there have been robust conversations in the background. Our landscape is changing, and he’s seen it first-hand now. He didn’t want to miss the opportunity to be part of this Club’s evolution, and we couldn’t be happier," President Troy Stone said.

"As part of this broader change we will all evolve and get better. That goes for everyone, from Adam to his assistants, to everyone in the front office. This is a positive and exciting step forward for all of us.”

While the Taipans have experienced mixed results in previous seasons, Forde was key in delivering two NBA prospects in Bobi Klintmann and Taran Armstrong, as well as young gun Alex Higgins-Titsha, who received an invite to the Golden State Warriors Mini-Camp in June.

"A lot has changed over the last four months. I haven’t been able to get a break from basketball like this before and it gave me the chance to step back," Forde said.

"I’ve witnessed how hard everyone has been working this off-season and it's really exciting. I just knew I had to be part of the new era for the Cairns Taipans."

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