2
Jun
Cairns Taipans
.384 wins Adam on eve of sixth Snakes season
Adam Forde reacts during the Cairns Taipans' NBL26 clash against the Perth Wildcats at Cairns Convention Centre. The 2023 NBL Coach of the Year has signed a new two-year contract extension to remain with the Taipans through NBL28. Photo: Emily Barker/Getty Images
Highlights
Adam Forde has re-signed through NBL28 as Cairns backs its long-serving coach despite .384 record
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Adam Forde has won just .384 of games in six NBL seasons, but Cairns Taipans president Tony Stone remains rock solid in his support, re-signing the head coach to a new two-year deal.
Forde, 44, left the Taipans at the end of NBL25 and then backflipped, re-signing after coaching the 3x3 Australian men’s team before the start of NBL26.
"Adam has been instrumental in changing the culture of this club, and we couldn’t be happier to bring him back,” Stone said.
“His personal ethos aligns perfectly with where we want to take this franchise.
“The dialogue has been open and honest, as always, and this new contract reflects the strong relationship we've maintained over the years and the faith we have in his mentorship and experience.
"His ability to develop players, get the best from our athletes and build genuine connections throughout the community has set a foundation we're still building on today.”
Forde is 56-90 in 146 games for Cairns in his career in Far North Queensland. The Taipans finished second last in NBL26, but not without excuses, constantly facing injury issues, especially to star big man Sam Waardenburg, who missed a large chunk of the season.
Waardenburg has jumped ship to Melbourne United, but Cairns has landed a major coup, bringing back Keanu Pinder. Pinder, 31, was named in the Australian Boomers team alongside $1M teammate Jack McVeigh. He played for the Taipans between 2021 and 2023.
"I'm genuinely excited to return to the Taipans and continue on what we've been building, especially when we’ve put in so much work already,” Forde said.
“There have obviously been some waves to ride, but it goes without saying that we want more success for ourselves and for Cairns.
“It might be difficult to see from the outside looking in, but the vision for the franchise is crystal clear now.
“I’m grateful that I get to be part of writing the next chapter, as this club and this community are extremely important to me.
“I’m looking forward to the future, I’m all in.”
Forde has plenty of work to do between now and the start of the NBL27 Blitz on September 5, 2026, against grand finalists Adelaide 36ers at Red Energy Arena.
The Taipans face reigning champions Sydney Kings in round one of NBL27 on September 20, 2026, at Qudos Bank Arena and just a week later, the 36ers again in Adelaide.
Cairns Taipans NBL27 Status
Head coach: Adam Forde – renewed contract for two more seasons.
Contracted: Jack McVeigh, Reyne Smith
Incoming:
- Keanu Pinder – Forward/Centre (NBL26: Japan B.League – Akita Northern Happinets)
May 11 – Pinder returned to Cairns on a one-year deal. - Sunday Dech – Guard
May: Signed from the Perth Wildcats
Departed: Mawot Mag, Sam Waardenburg (to Melbourne United)
Free agents: Kyle Adnam, Andrew Andrews, Lachlan Barker, Kian Dennis, Kyrin Galloway, Alex Higgins-Titsha, Mojave King, Marcus Lee, Lloyd McVeigh, Jed Richardson, Admiral Schofield, Kody Stattmann
Potential depth chart
- PG: Sunday Dech / —
- SG: Reyne Smith / —
- SF: — / —
- PF: Jack McVeigh / —
- C: Keanu Pinder / —
Remaining Roster Spots (11 Players): 7 spots remaining (4 players committed)
Franchise Totals (End of NBL26)
- Regular Season Record: 329–467 (.413)
- Finals Record: 13–20 (.394)
- Regular Season Championships: 0
- Grand Final Appearances: 2 (2010–11, 2014–15)
- NBL Championships: 0
Adam Forde's Place in Taipans History
- 3rd all-time in wins (56)
- 3rd all-time in games coached (146)
- Only Cairns coach to coach more than 100 games since Aaron Fearne
- Needs 7 wins to pass Alan Black (62) for second all-time
- Needs 59 wins to catch Aaron Fearne's club record (114)
- Signed through NBL28, giving him an opportunity to move into second place in most major coaching categories.
Adam Forde's Coaching Career
- 2010 Rockingham Flames
- 2011 East Perth Eagles (assistant)
- 2011–2012 West Coast Waves (assistant)
- 2012–2015 East Perth Eagles
- 2013–2019 Perth Wildcats (assistant)
- 2019 East Perth Eagles
- 2019–2020 Sydney Kings (assistant)
- 2020–2021 Sydney Kings
- 2021 Hawke's Bay Hawks
- 2021–present Cairns Taipans
Career highlights
- NBL Coach of the Year (2023)
- SBL champion (2014)
- As assistant coach: 4× NBL champion (2014, 2016, 2017, 2019)
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