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beginners welcome. All Skill levels.

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register NOW!

beginners welcome. All Skill levels.

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register NOW!

Beginners welcome.
All Skill levels.

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Our Board

Cairns Basketball Inc is made up of dedicated volunteers who bring a diverse range of skills, experience, and perspectives to the organisation.

United by a shared passion for basketball and community sport, they provide strategic leadership, strong governance, and guidance to support the continued growth and success of basketball in Far North Queensland.

Christopher Van Dorssen

President

Chris comes from a family with deep roots in the local community, and he has long been committed to supporting organisations that strengthen and enrich the region.

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Bernard Dent

Vice President

Bernard has been involved in basketball for more than 40 years, giving him a deep connection to the sport and a strong understanding of its impact on the local community.

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Dariush Mirshafiei

Treasurer

Bio coming soon

Cath Ardern

Secretary

Her playing career includes time with the Bundaberg State League team and the Cairns Dolphins, alongside extensive coaching experience at both club and representative levels from a young age.

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Dale Jackley

General Board Member

Born in Melbourne, Dale Jackley has called Cairns home since 1992 and has been involved in the local basketball community since his arrival, dating back to the days of outdoor courts.

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Aaron Luki

General Board Member

Bio coming soon

Daniel Majer

General Board Member

Daniel is passionate about ensuring that young athletes in the Far North have the same opportunities to develop, compete, and thrive as players in other parts of Australia.

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Tonya Stattmann

General Board Member

Outside of her board role, Tonya enjoys watching her sons compete at a high level in basketball and spending quality time with family and friends.

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Dylan Thomas

General Board Member

Dylan is excited by the opportunity to contribute to the strategic direction of the association and use his experience to help strengthen its future.

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Gausa Arnold

General Board Member

He is passionate about supporting the growth of basketball for juniors, families, and the broader community, while contributing to the ongoing development of the association.

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Christopher (Chris) Van Dorssen

President, Cairns Basketball Incorporated

Born and raised in Cairns, Chris comes from a family with deep roots in the local community, and he has long been committed to supporting organisations that strengthen and enrich the region.
 
Chris has been involved in the Cairns sporting community for more than 30 years and has dedicated over 15 years specifically to basketball through volunteer work, club involvement, and governance roles. His pathway to joining the Cairns Basketball Inc. Board – and later stepping into the role of President – was driven by a desire to contribute to an organisation that develops young people, supports grassroots sport, and brings the community together. He remains committed to honouring Cairns Basketball’s proud legacy while guiding its growth and long-term sustainability.
What Chris values most about CBI is its strong sense of community and the passion shared by players, volunteers, staff, coaches, referees, and families. He finds it deeply rewarding to see the positive impact that the association’s programs have across the region. As President, he is focused on strengthening governance, improving facilities, and building pathways for athletes at every level.
 
Chris is continually motivated by the growth of young athletes, the enthusiasm of CBI volunteers, and the knowledge that the collective efforts support a thriving basketball community for now and the future.
 
Beyond basketball, Chris is actively involved in several community organisations. He has been a member of the Cairns Show Association since 2000, where he has served as Assistant Treasurer and is honoured to hold Life Membership. He is also a Life Member of the Cairns District Rugby League. In his professional life, Chris serves as General Manager of Cairns Meals on Wheels, continuing his long-standing commitment to community service.
 
Chris is grateful for the opportunity to lead Cairns Basketball and contribute to the future of the sport in Far North Queensland.

Bernard Dent

Vice President 

Bernard Dent is a long-standing member of the Cairns Basketball community and currently serves as Vice President of Cairns Basketball Incorporated (CBI). Bernard has been involved in basketball for more than 40 years, giving him a deep connection to the sport and a strong understanding of its impact on the local community.
 
Bernard has been a member of the CBI Board for over eight years and is driven by a desire to support the association in any way he can. He is particularly passionate about junior development, with a strong focus on helping young players grow not only as athletes, but as people. Ensuring the continued development of juniors and the sustainable growth of the association is at the heart of his work on the board.
 
What motivates Bernard most is seeing young players progress through the ranks, gaining confidence, skills and life lessons through basketball. Outside of the sport, he enjoys spending time with his family, golf, and horse racing.

Cath Ardern

Secretary

Originally from Bundaberg, Cath began playing junior basketball from under 12s through to her late 20s, competing at both junior and senior representative levels. Her playing career includes time with the Bundaberg State League team and the Cairns Dolphins, alongside extensive coaching experience at both club and representative levels from a young age.
Cath has been a dedicated member of the CBI Board for more than 12 years. What began as a desire to give back to a sport that provided her with countless positive experiences has evolved into a strong commitment to ensuring Cairns Basketball remains viable, sustainable, and inclusive for future generations. She is passionate about creating an environment where basketball is fun, safe, and inclusive for all.
 
What Cath enjoys most about being part of CBI is celebrating the wins – both big and small – from state championship successes and facility improvements to seeing a player score their first basket or form new friendships. In her board role, she values the challenge of helping to shape strategy and drive positive change across all areas of the organisation.
 
Cath is motivated by the opportunity to strengthen pathways for members, both on and off the court. Outside of basketball, she enjoys travelling and spending time working on hergarden.

Dale Jackley

General Board Member

Born in Melbourne, Dale has called Cairns home since 1992 and has been involved in the local basketball community since his arrival, dating back to the days of outdoor courts.

Dale was motivated to join the Cairns Basketball Incorporated (CBI) Board to use his skillset to help Cairns Basketball continue to grow and to contribute to a lasting, positive legacy for future generations of players. He enjoys working alongside a committed group of like-minded board members to drive continuous improvement in quality, safety, inclusion and culture.

In his role on the board, Dale enjoys being able to apply his experience in a meaningful way to support the development of the facility, the game of basketball, and the overall experience for members. He is especially inspired by seeing young players improve, develop, and build a genuine love for the game.

Outside of basketball, Dale enjoys spending time with his wife and children, relaxing together, listening to music, and water sports.

Daniel Majer

General Board Member

Born and raised in Cairns, Daniel has been part of the local basketball community for nearly two decades. His journey with Cairns Basketball began in 2006 when he first took to the court as an U14s player, sparking an enduring connection to the sport and the association.
Now in his first year on the Cairns Basketball Board, Daniel is driven by a desire to create meaningful change. He is passionate about ensuring that young athletes in the Far North have the same opportunities to develop, compete, and thrive as players in other parts of Australia. 
 
For Daniel, contributing to the board is a way to turn intention into action and to help shape the future rather than comment from the sidelines.
 
Daniel enjoys collaborating with fellow board members and values the hands-on experience he’s gaining in strategic planning and execution. What inspires him most is the chance to have a real voice in the direction of the association and to support programs that strengthen Cairns Basketball’s service offerings and overall quality.
 
Outside of basketball, Daniel enjoys strength and conditioning training, helping him stay fit and continue playing the game he loves.

Tonya Stattmann

General Board Member

Tonya Stattmann has been involved with Cairns Basketball for over 50 years having first stepped onto the court at just seven years old. Since then, she has remained continuously involved in the basketball community in a variety of roles.
 
Tonya’s decision to join the board is driven by her passion for basketball and her desire to see Cairns Basketball continue to succeed and grow. What she values most about being part of CBI is watching players develop and follow their individual journeys, both on and off the court. Tonya is enthusiastic about the board providing the opportunity to contribute positively and support Cairns Basketball’s growth.
 
She is motivated by the players themselves and the strong friendships formed through basketball. Outside of her board role, Tonya enjoys watching her sons compete at a high level in basketball and spending quality time with family and friends.

Dylan Thomas

General Board Member

Dylan brings more than 25 years of experience across all levels of basketball to his role on the Cairns Basketball Incorporated (CBI) Board. Born in Mount Isa and raised in Townsville, Dylan has always been deeply involved in the sport as a player, coach, official, and administrator, giving him a well-rounded understanding of the game and the systems that support it.
Dylan’s decision to join the CBI Board was driven by a strong belief in the power of sport (particularly basketball!) to bring people together. He is passionate about basketball as more than just a game, seeing it as a place where people can feel safe, find connection, and escape the pressures of everyday life. Dylan is excited by the opportunity to contribute to the strategic direction of the association and use his experience to help strengthen its future.
 
What Dylan values most about being part of CBI is the strong sense of community and the significant potential of the association, despite the challenges of being regional. He enjoys collaborating with board members from diverse backgrounds, recognising that different strengths and perspectives combine to create meaningful impact on and off the court.
 
Dylan is motivated by the opportunity to help position Cairns Basketball as a regional powerhouse and to create more pathways and opportunities for young people to engage with the sport. Outside of basketball, he enjoys long-distance running and travelling.

Gausa Arnold

General Board Member

Born and raised in Cairns (Gimuy), Gausa has been involved in basketball since 1986, giving him nearly four decades of connection to the game.
 
Gausa joined the Board in early 2025, motivated by a desire to bring a former player’s perspective to the table and to help bridge the gap between the traditions of the past and the opportunities of the future. He is passionate about supporting the growth of basketball for juniors, families, and the broader community, while contributing to the ongoing development of the association.
What Gausa enjoys most about being part of CBI is the game itself, and the life skills, friendships, and personal growth it offers young players, including his own children. He values seeing how basketball has evolved over the years and playing a role in shaping where it goes next.
 
In his role on the board, Gausa values understanding the business side, how different people with different backgrounds collaborate to support the betterment of Cairns Basketball and its members, and the work and vision employed to ensure young basketballers get to play, feel included, feel safe and have fun.
 
Gausa is motivated by a long-term vision of a basketball-specific facility and association that continues to grow and provide pathways for future generations. For now, he finds the greatest reward in coaching and being a small part of each player’s journey, having witnessed firsthand the transformation of basketball facilities in Cairns from the late 1980s to today.
 
Outside of basketball, Gausa enjoys mountain bike riding when the weather allows, white-water kayaking when it doesn’t, and, if the opportunity ever arises, jet skiing.