Williams, Donkin to return for Cairns in 2022

Cairns Basketball has announced that Kerry Williams and Myra Donkin will return as Head Coaches for the Marlins and Dolphins respectively, in the 2022 NBL1 season.

Stalwarts of the Cairns system, both former players have suited up in state competitions and at national level (NBL/WNBL) and bring years of experience coaching junior and senior teams in Cairns, representing Far North Queensland.

Cairns General Manager Mike Scott said that Williams and Donkin were the perfect candidates when they joined last year, and they will only continue to get better.

"We are thrilled that Kerry and Myra will return to run the Marlins and Dolphins programs next season – they are so passionate about building teams that will make Cairns proud and really compete," Mr Scott said.

"It’s exciting that Kerry will enter his second year as Marlins Head Coach after a season on the Taipans coaching staff - he will be richer from that experience.

"He’s the only Marlins coach that has come through the ranks as a junior, and we all get to witness the legacy he is creating.

"He’s fully invested in the CBI program and there’s nobody better to manage our men’s program and fight for a national title.

"Similarly, Myra is also completely ingrained in our system, and she’s been committed to CBI since the first day she joined over 10 years ago.

"She has coached so many juniors over the years and she’ll continue to be excellent in the development of the younger Dolphins players, while also spearheading the strength of women’s basketball in our region."

Mr Scott also acknowledged the growth and development of both his first-year coaches in the inaugural NBL1 North season.

"I think we were all impressed with how both Kerry and Myra navigated their campaigns, with so many challenges thrown at them throughout the year," he said.

"Despite it all, Kerry blossomed into being an extremely well-respected coach, and that was obvious across the competition.

"He’s quiet and mild-mannered by nature, but he knew when to exert himself at appropriate times and he earned the trust and respect from a very energetic and animated Marlins playing group.

"For Myra, she had the challenge of being a player-coach, and she was the gun of the group.

"She had to be the best player on the floor, as well as a first-year coach with a lot of young players.

"It was a huge learning curve for her in that respect, but we have been working on the Dolphins roster since the last season ended and we are confident we are able to recruit more experience next year.

"With one season under her belt and a more experienced roster, we are optimistic Myra will take the Dolphins to the play-offs."

View the 2022 NBL1 roster tracker here.