The Perth Wildcats will take on the Cairns Taipans in a historic pre-season game in Karratha on August 22. ## What happened?
The game will be played at Karratha Leisureplex, marking the 60th anniversary of Rio Tinto’s first shipment of iron ore from the Pilbara.
Perth Wildcats owner Mark Arena said the Club was proud to take the game to regional Western Australia.
The official NBL pre-season fixture will provide basketball fans across the Pilbara with a unique opportunity to experience live NBL action close to home.
Why it matters for Perth Wildcats
This game is a fantastic opportunity for the Wildcats to connect with their fans across regional Western Australia and continue growing the game at all levels.
Basketball is beloved and continues to grow strongly in regional communities, and the Wildcats are looking forward to bringing an NBL pre-season game to Karratha and inspiring the next generation of players.
What comes next?
Ahead of the game, Wildcats players and coaches will deliver a series of community basketball clinics for local juniors and community participants.
| Clinic | Date |
|---|---|
| Community Basketball Clinic | August 20 |
| Junior Basketball Clinic | August 21 |
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Matthew Holcz said the historic game was a special way to celebrate with the communities that have been central to the company’s journey for six decades.
The Pilbara has been the home of Rio Tinto’s iron ore operations for 60 years and will be for decades to come.
Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans CEO Mark Beecroft thanked Rio Tinto and the Wildcats organisation for the chance to be part of the history-making match.
This game will be a great way for the Cairns Taipans to begin their pre-season, and they are well-travelled throughout regional Queensland.
The Perth Wildcats are excited to take on the Cairns Taipans in this historic pre-season game, and they are looking forward to a competitive match.
The game will be a great opportunity for basketball fans to see some of the best players in the NBL in action, and it will be a fantastic experience for the local community.
The Perth Wildcats and the Cairns Taipans will be looking to make a strong start to their pre-season, and this game will be an important test for both teams.
The historic game will be played on August 22, and it will be a great day for basketball in Western Australia.