Hooley Re-signs for 2018
September 14th 2017
After last week’s announcement that Nathan Cooper-Brown will be the GMHBA Ballarat Miners Head Coach for the next two seasons the Club is pleased that 2017 Captain Peter Hooley will return for his second SEABL season.
The South Australian was the final piece of the 2017 pre-season recruitment puzzle arriving just weeks before the SEABL season started. Hooley impressed from the moment he arrived and was a clear choice as Captain.
Hooley’s first season in the SEABL saw him average 20.6 points and 4.5 assists a game earning himself a place in the SEABL All-Star 5 team alongside team mate Craig Moller.
His stellar 2017 SEABL season was rewarded with some NBL opportunities that saw him travel to China with the Sydney Kings invitational team before signing with Melbourne United for the 2017/18 NBL season.
Coach Nathan Cooper-Brown said “It is great to have Pete back on board for 2018, he is a quality person that works incredibly hard on the floor and within the Ballarat Community”.
Basketball Ballarat Senior Elite Teams – Miners Chair Simon Walshe said “With Nathan’s appointment last week we are really keen to get as many players from 2017 re-signed, having our captain be first to sign gives the club great confidence that we are heading in the right direction”.
Hooley said “I definitely enjoyed my first SEABL season at Ballarat. I was unsure what to expect after coming from such a disappointing experience in England, and I really just wanted to find enjoyment back for the game and see what could happen.” Hooley added “Ballarat definitely helped me find that and loads more as well as making it a great transition for me back in Australia and close to my family.”
Hooley continued “Ballarat gave me an opportunity to really enjoy playing basketball and everything that comes with it. The community and the staff make it a really easy and enjoyable place. I’ve always been big on that side of my experience with professional basketball, I find that I get the best out of myself when I’m looked after off the court and Ballarat definitely provided me with this.”
When asked about Cooper-Brown’s appointment Hooley said “the Club has done very well to replace one all time Ballarat legend, Eric Hayes with Coops.” Hooley added “I think Coops will bring a different flavour to our program. While he still played a big part with our team last year, I think he has even more plans to put in place to help us reach our overall goals, not only as a team but a Club as well.”
Hooley is currently living in Melbourne whilst he plays with NBL Club, Melbourne United. Basketball Ballarat expects Hooley to be back in Ballarat full time from Mid-March at the completion of the NBL season.
Hooley said “I’m really enjoying my time at Melbourne United. It’s definitely a different experience. It’s a whole new level of playing, which is no secret. Getting your body physically ready and keeping it at that level is vital in order to be accepted. I’m very excited for what this season has in store for us here at United and I think that being able to learn and play under Dean Vickerman is going to be huge for my development.”
For more information on the GMHBA Miners or Ballarat Skoda Rush please contact Elite Teams Administrator Melissa Thomas via 5330 7604 or Melissa.Thomas@ballaratbasketball.com