The region’s business and tourism representatives have joined forces in their support for a community-based approach to save the embattled Cairns Taipans.

Advance Cairns, Cairns Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) agree that the concept of community ownership as part of a grassroots membership scheme proposed by Cairns Basketball to secure a licence for the Taipans to continue into the 2009/2010 National Basketball League season, needed to be acted on immediately.

Advance Cairns CEO Ross Contarino said the morale of the region was at stake if the Cairns Taipans folded. “It is important for the morale of the region, and for the community that we get behind the Taipans,” Mr Contarino said. “The team is an integral part of the local community, and in these uncertain economic times it is imperative there is a light at the end of the tunnel to keep community spirits up. You just need to go to any home game and see how the Taipans fans rally together in a sea of orange, white and blue in support of their hometown team, in the good times and the bad.”

“We need to harness that support and turn it into much-needed dollars for the Taipans to ensure they remain a viable economic and social contributor to the local community,” he said.

Cairns Chamber of Commerce president Jeremy Blockey shared Mr Contarino’s sentiments. “People have rallied around the team and gotten behind them when they have struggled in the past, and during their successes, the team’s best seasons have buoyed the city,” Mr Blockey said. “It would be sad to see our national team either disappear or be absorbed by another town or city,” he said. “Now is the time to collectively raise some funds for the Taipans.”

TTNQ CEO Rob Giason said the local tourism industry has a reputation worldwide for working together.  “If we as a community can use the same approach to support our local basketball team we have a shot at success,” Mr Giason said.

END

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