Duggan embraces special NBL round

FORMER Cairns Taipan Timmy Duggan knew the magnitude of the moment when he addressed more than 160 of Australia’s top mentors at the Basketball Australia Coaches Conference in May, 2018.

At the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, he spoke passionately about the importance of cultural safety and inclusion, and the establishment of an NBL Indigenous Round.

They were heartfelt words which resonated with everyone in the room because Duggan is an inspiration among indigenous people all over Australia, including the Don Dale Youth Centre, where he regularly visits and inspires inmates to make positive lifestyle changes.

Duggan’s wish has been granted, with the NBL to embrace an Indigenous Round.

“It (creation of the Indigenous Round) was not just because of me, (but) I put it out there,” Duggan said.

“It’s great because it gives us a chance to celebrate the success of previous indigenous players and coaches in the competition.

“The exciting thing is the NBL now seems to be going back to its glory days of the 1990s and 80s with the big crowds it is getting.

“Yes (Duggan knew his presentation was a significant moment) because there were a lot of coaches and administrators present.”

Duggan believes the Indigenous Round will help inspire plenty of gifted Aboriginal basketball players to aim for Australia’s top elite competition.

“There have been 18 Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander players in the NBL over 40 years,” Duggan said.

“And I’m pretty sure 60 per cent of those come from Far North Queensland.

“That is because they have been able to aspire to play for (the now-defunct) Townsville (Crocodiles) or Cairns Taipans.”

Duggan is a strong advocate of cultural safely for indigenous athletes, a term which involves recognising their history, celebrating their success and knowing what it is like to walk in their shoes.