About 20 Indigenous children from the Mossman Gorge region learned more than just dribbling and shooting skills at a basketball clinic in Mossman on January 23, with former Skytrans Cairns Taipans player Kerry Williams also sharing his inspirational story.

“They loved it,” said  Apunipima Tackling Smoking and Healthy Lifestyle Worker (Tobacco) Margaret Ross-Kelly. “The kids learn how to dribble, bounce the ball, shoot the ball; how to pretty much play.”

The Taipans partnered with Apunipima Cape York Health Council’s Tackling Smoking and Healthy Lifestyles team and PCYC to host and support the event featuring Mr Williams, the NBL basketball team’s Community Development Manager.

The Mossman clinic followed ones in Wudjal Wudjal, Cooktown and Laura in the state’s north last year.

“Kerry tells [the kids] his story; where he's been, what he's done, how he got into playing basketball and what basketball has done for him, and where he's at with his life,” explained Ms Ross-Kelly.

“He passes on that educational message of 'Stay in school and learn', and 'Don't forgo education for alcohol and all the bad stuff’.”