Career choice a slam dunk

TAIPANS CHIEF EXECUTIVE MARK BEECROFT HAS BEEN TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS FOR THE CLUB OFF THE COURT IN WHAT IS TRULY A LABOUR OF LOVE, WRITES HAYDEN SMITH

On February 14, 2009, the struggling Cairns Taipans were beaten on the buzzer by eventual NBL champions South Dragons in front of 4100 fans.

Despite the two-point defeat, it was viewed as a watershed moment for the Cairns franchise, which only months before had entered voluntary administration. The Snakes had been thumped by the New Zealand Breakers two days earlier. But, somewhat ironically, it was after this inspired performance that then Taipans head coach Mark Beecroft (above) knew his true calling lay in taking his beloved club forward in an administrative role.

ON February 14, 2009, the struggling Cairns Taipans were beaten on the buzzer by eventual NBL champions South Dragons in front of 4100 fans at the Convention Centre.

Despite the two-point defeat, it was viewed as a watershed moment for the Cairns franchise, which only months before had entered voluntary administration.

The Snakes had been thumped by the New Zealand Breakers two days earlier.

But, somewhat ironically, it was after this inspired performance against the Dragons that then Taipans head coach Mark Beecroft knew his true calling lay in taking his beloved club forward in an administrative role.

“They were going into the post-season and our club was potentially going into liquidation,” he recalled.

“It was a really emotive time for everyone around and we were trying to save the club.

“This game showed we could compete and gave me confirmation that I can coach at that level.

“I ticked that box and it became about what’s the greater need in terms of how we move the club forward. For me it was around the skills I’d built through administration over a long period of time.”

Mr Beecroft, 44, is about to enter his ninth NBL season as Taipans chief executive. It has been a rollercoaster journey for the sporting all-rounder from Hoppers Crossing near Melbourne, who nearly pursued a career in athletics.

“I was reasonable at high jump and shot put and needed to make a decision around basketball and athletics,” he said.

“I was on track to go to the Pan Pacific Games for high jump but broke my collarbone, which really forced my decision.”

He moved to Cairns in 1996 after progressing through the Melbourne Tigers system and a stint playing basketball in Hawaii.

Mr Beecroft played for the Cairns Marlins but eventually transitioned into administrative and coaching positions.

He has been involved with the Taipans “in one form or another” for 13 years now, rid- ing the club’s highs and lows. The Redlynch Valley resident was instrumental in the franchise’s transition into a community ownership model, which he said had proven to be a success.

“The club has had a number of private ownerships that were unsuccessful,” Mr Beecroft said. “There is the ownership sense in the community and accessibility of the players, which we’ve been able to galvanise.”

The Taipans have about 1300 season-ticket holders and