The Ballarat Miners are thrilled to announce the appointments of Peter Buckle and Tess Lourey as the Head Coaches for the Youth League Men’s and Women’s teams, respectively, for the 2025 season. This exciting new chapter for the Ballarat Miners’ youth programs reflects the club’s commitment to nurturing talent and creating pathways for success both on and off the court.
Peter Buckle joins the Youth League Men’s team as Head Coach, bringing a wealth of experience from both the national and international stage and a reputation for building competitive teams with a strong focus on player development. Known for his dynamic coaching style, Buckle has a proven track record of fostering young talent and is eager to lead the Youth League Men’s team into a successful season. With an impressive background and a commitment to guiding players toward their highest potential, Buckle is poised to make an immediate impact.
“I’m looking forward to coaching back in Ballarat and helping to develop the young athletes in what is an exciting time to be a part of the Miners Senior Program,” said Buckle.
Tess Lourey will take the helm of the Youth League Women’s team, bringing her strong leadership skills and a deep understanding of the game to Ballarat’s talented young women. Lourey has built a solid reputation in the basketball community through her dedication to player growth and her commitment to the success of each athlete on her team. She aims to create an inclusive and empowering atmosphere that allows each player to thrive on and off the court.
“I am thrilled to be coaching the Youth League Women’s team for the 2025 season,” Tess said. “In the coming days, I’ll be reconnecting with past players and reaching out to new talent as we build a strong and dynamic squad. This season will be all about growth and development as we work closely with both our Under-18 girls and NBL1 programs. I’m excited for what lies ahead and can’t wait to get started.”
Both Buckle and Lourey are committed to fostering a winning culture that emphasizes teamwork, discipline, and personal development. Their appointments are aligned with the Ballarat Miners’ strategic vision for developing future talent and creating a robust foundation for basketball in the region.
Senior Elite Teams Committee Member, Peter Cunningham was ecstatic with the appointments stating that, “Ballarat Basketball is committed to providing opportunities via an elite pathway for our basketball families and community, and a link between our Ballarat Representative Program teams and the NBL1 team. We are excited to welcome Peter and Tess to our coaching team; both are passionate basketball people that bring a strong work ethic and their combined experience and commitment to youth development will strengthen our program and contribute to the future success of our club. We believe they are the right leaders to guide our Youth League teams in the upcoming season.”
The Ballarat Miners are looking forward to a successful 2025-2026 campaign under the guidance of Buckle and Lourey and invite the community to join in supporting the Youth League teams.
YOUTH LEAGUE WOMEN TRYOUTS
- SUNDAY NOVEMBER 24th, 9:30 am – 11:30 am, Minerdome
- THURSDAY NOVEMBER 28th, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Selkirk Stadium
YOUTH LEAGUE MEN TRYOUTS
- SUNDAY NOVEMBER 24th, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm, Minerdome
- TUESDAY NOVEMBER 26th, 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm, Minerdome
- SUNDAY DECEMBER 1st, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, Minerdome
- TUESDAY DECEMBER 3rd, 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm, Minerdome
- TUESDAY DECEMBER 10th, 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm, Minerdome
To register for upcoming tryouts for the Youth League Men’s and Women’s teams, click here: Ballarat Miners Youth League Tryouts Registration