THE Lady Miners will open Ballarat's 2011 South East Australian Basketball League campaign.The Ballarat Community Health Lady Miners will launch their season under new coach Donna Rinaldi against Frankston on the road on Saturday, April 2.They will then join the Miners in a doubleheader against powerhouse Knox at the Minerdome the next day.The SEABL women's conference continues to grow.Geelong has signed up for next season, stepping up from the Big V.With Hobart entering its second year, the conference now comprises 13 teams and will again have a six-way finals series.The Lady Miners will have to wait more than half the season before facing the Geelong Lady Cats.The neighbours will clash in Geelong in week 14 on July 9 and then at the Minerdome in the last home and away game on August 20.In contrast, Rinaldi will not have long to wait before leading the Lady Miners into battle against her former team Brisbane Lady Spartans.This will be just her third game at the helm on Saturday, April 9 and she will have the benefit of a home court.With a bye and then no games over the Easter long weekend, the Lady Miners will have a space of three weeks until their next assignment when they meet Bendigo Lady Braves for The Courier Cup.The Wes Davidson Real Estate Miners are part of a 15-team two-conference competition, with the Australian Institute of Sport withdrawing owing to national and international commitments.This leaves the east conference with only seven teams.The Miners will get every opportunity to get away to a strong start, with four of their opening five games at the Minerdome. This will include a Wednesday night blockbuster against arch-rival Bendigo on April 20 - the first week of the school holidays.Ballarat successfully trialled a Wednesday fixture last season.