The Ballarat Miners are thrilled to announce that Laura Taylor will return for the 2026 NBL1 season.
Taylor made an immediate impact last season after returning to Ballarat following a successful collegiate career at Weber State University. In her first year back in Miners colours, she averaged 9.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game, providing a strong presence at both ends of the floor.
A fan favourite on and off the court, Taylor is highly regarded for her energy, work ethic and passion for community engagement. Her involvement across the club’s community programs, combined with her experience and passion, makes her return an exciting one for the entire Miners family.
During the recent NBL1 off-season, Taylor has been with the Bendigo Spirit in the WNBL, serving as a training player throughout the season. The opportunity has allowed her to continue developing in a high-performance environment, further developing her game.
Expressing her enthusiasm, Taylor stated, “I am so excited and proud to be re-signing with the Miners and coming back to complete some unfinished business. Ballarat is a place I once dreamed of representing, and it means a lot to continue that journey. I’m honoured to be coached by Brendan Joyce, a former Opals and Miners coach with a wealth of experience who genuinely cares about developing and broadening his athletes skillsets to prepare them for the next level. I’m passionate about showcasing possible pathways for young athletes, especially females, and can’t wait to be back with the Miner crew for 2026!”
Head Coach Brendan Joyce was pleased to be able to bring Taylor back, saying:
“It’s fantastic that Laura has resigned with our Ballarat Miners Women’s team for 2026. It’s important we provide opportunities for talent that comes through our juniors. Laura is extremely hard working and a tremendous athlete that can shoot the 3.
She has been focusing on improving her game and staying in shape training with the Bendigo Spirit WNBL women’s team.
I am really excited about assisting her to continue to improve her game in all areas offensively and defensively to help her make the WNBL roster for 2026.”
The Ballarat Miners are thrilled to welcome Laura back