Taipans' coaching update: "We have to get it right"

The Cairns Taipans are still on the search for a head coach to lead the club into NBL26 and beyond, and while that search has taken longer than fans would like, the message from the club is simple: "We have to get it right".

"We want to get it right, but it’s more: we have to get it right," club president Troy Stone told Code Sports.

The Taipans have had a mixed bag of results in recent years, making it to within one game of a Championship Series in 2023, before being finishing on the bottom of the table last season.

Cairns began last season with a lot of excitement that was largely due to their young core of Taran Armstrong and Sam Waardenburg, combined with exciting imports like Rob Edwards. An unprecedented injury crisis swept across the club though, leading to all but one rostered player (Jonah Antonio) missing significant time.

“We have been disappointed in where we finished over these past couple of seasons, and there’s whole bunch of reasons – injury was the biggest for us,” Stone said.

As it stands, the Taipans have five rostered players for next season, including Waardenburg who re-committed to the club amidst fears from fans that he may return home to New Zealand.

The Taipans are confident that the appointment of their next coach will allow whoever that is to build their own team with the important remaining signings.

As for the message to the fans, Stone understands how it looks but is confident in where they are at.

“It’s frustrating for fans, and I get it, but that’s the nature of the beast and you have to stay two steps ahead ... we’re looking at some very high-level players and coaches.”

Read the full story here >> ‘Get it right’: Inside Taipans’ search for new coach, players, for NBL26