Selkirk Ballarat Rush Coaches Appointed
As regional Victoria awakens from the tight lockdown of recent months another positive step forward has been taken by Basketball Ballarat with the appointment of the Selkirk Ballarat Rush Coaching Staff for the 2021 NBL1 South Season.
The 2020 season was abandoned in March forcing Basketball Ballarat’s senior elite team program to suspend however the NBL1 has recently initiated planning for 2021. Basketball Ballarat is also beginning to gear up its preliminary planning for the senior teams and Youth League programs.
Basketball Ballarat Senior Elite Teams Director Cameron Moore said that the first coaching appointments for 2021 will see the return of Eric Hayes as Head Coach and Megan Collins as Assistant Coach of the Selkirk Ballarat Rush.
“The reappointment of Eric and Megan was a very easy decision. After the cancellation of the 2020 NBL1 season, the pair was immediately offered the opportunity to again lead the Selkirk Ballarat Rush. Thankfully for the club, the well experienced coaching combination still have the passion to drive our women’s program and most importantly develop local players. We have every confidence that with a strong playing roster that the 2021 season will be a successful season after such a very challenging 2020.” Moore said.
Reappointed Head Coach Eric Hayes was thrilled to be returning to the Selkirk Ballarat Rush for 2021.
“I am really excited to have another opportunity to work with Megan for the next NBL1 season. Megan has been so helpful in helping me learn more about the game from another perspective and she brings so much joy to what we do each week to prepare our team for the season. Each year I feel that we have gotten better so I am really looking forward to putting together a great group of players to compete in 2021.” Hayes said.
Megan Collins supported Hayes enthusiasm as she returns as Assistant Coach for the Selkirk Rush.
“I’m thrilled with my reappointment as assistant coach with the NBL1 Selkirk Ballarat Rush for season 2021. The opportunity to team up with Eric and continue our momentum for another season and represent Ballarat is a great honour. Eric’s playing and coaching experience, intricate knowledge and passion for the game is exemplary – he is someone I admire and deeply respect, so working alongside and being mentored by Eric is a real privilege.” Collins said.
“I’m eagerly looking forward to continuing and building on what was cut short in 2020 – putting together an experienced and competitive playing roster featuring home grown talent, and supporting the elite development pathway Ballarat provides for the young aspiring female athletes in our region” Collins said.
Basketball Ballarat CEO Peter Eddy said that the exact composition of the NBL1 season and potential player availability would still be governed by Government regulation, travel restrictions and with health and safety of athletes, officials and fans as our first priority.
Eddy added that it was a very positive step forward to begin planning a framework for the return of the NBL1 and the Big V Youth League program for 2021.
Hotondo Homes Ballarat Miners Head Coach Brendan Joyce still has a year to run on his current contract in 2021.
The Central Highlands Water Ballarat Miners & Rush Youth coaching positions will be considered by Director Cameron Moore in the coming weeks with 2020 coaching staff given first priority to return to roles in 2021 due to missing due to the season suspensions this year.