THE Taipans have harnessed one of their biggest markets in a move that is working for the National Basketball League club and Cairns' restaurants.

Five restaurants have signed on as platinum partners with the club, each buying Taipans season-ticket packages of 10 platinum seats for their staff, clients or customers.


The seat pledges formed part of the Taipans’ membership drive earlier this year, an effort that was a key plank of their successful submission for re-entry to the NBL.

In return, the Taipans are encouraging members to support the restaurants on the first Tuesday of each month when mass visits have been arranged.

Each of the five participating restaurants will be visited twice over a 10-month period.

Three events have been held so far – at Villa Romana, Hog’s Breath Cafe and Fasta Pasta – with the Taipans group numbering more than 110 on each occasion.

“The restaurants on a game night had a benefit from people going in pre-game and post-game (for a meal),” Taipans general manager Mark Beecroft said.

“We worked with them to provide ticketing options for their clients, staff and customers.

“They get a benefit, as do we.”

Beecroft said the food industry had been difficult to market to in the past, with most businesses at their busiest on Taipans game nights.

“It’s been an avenue of the market we’ve not been able to harness in the past,” he said. “The restaurants have definitely benefited from our games over the past 11 seasons.

“One thing that’s pretty clear on game night is the restaurants are pretty filled with Taipans shirts.

“People do make a night of it and it’s just harnessing what’s happened for a long time in the city on a game night.

“This mechanism has definitely given us something we both needed.”

Feedback has been positive from both the businesses and fans.

Fasta Pasta Cairns owner Val La Vista said joining the partnership had been worthwhile. “It’s well worth it and great to see a lot of support for the local club,” Mr La Vista said.

“I ended up doing about 250 meals that night and I usually do about 120 (on a Tuesday).”

And he said there was plenty of return business from Snakes fans.

The next Taipans Tuesday will be at Cafe China on September 7, with the Taipans working with the business to position the date to tie in with the opening of new premises at the Reef Casino.


The Raw Prawn will host a Taipans Tuesday on October 5.