Basketball Ballarat chief executive officer PETER EDDY has been part of the MINERS, LADY MINERS and now RUSH programs since Ballarat first entered the Victorian Basketball Association state league - the Miners in 1982 and Lady Miners in 1983.
In 1986, the Miners joined the South East Australian Basketball League.
The Lady Miners played in the Country Victorian Basketball League before joining the Miners in the SEABL in 2003.
In his last year before retiring, he has named the people (coaches, players and team staff) he believes have been the most influential with the Miners and Lady Miners/Rush over that period.
This is not an all-star or best player list. It is a personal reflection and recognition of those people who have passed through the programs and have left a lasting impression and legacy on the elite program.
We feature his LADY MINERS/RUSH list in the first of a two-part feature.
KAREN ASHBY
Initially played with the Lady Miners from 1995 to 1997 before moving to the WNBL. The Lady Miners enjoyed a golden era from 2004 to and including 2007. Her presence on the team was so crucial that this period was known by some as "The Ashby Era". More importantly, Karen was a great person both on and off the court, and an elite athlete who set a very high standard for emerging players to aspire to.
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Many consider Karen to be the best player in our program over the years. She was a leader on and off the court and would do anything that was needed within the program. She also gave back to the program as team manager and on sub-committees.
JOY BURKE
Possibly the best community ambassador, male or female, that Basketball Ballarat has had. Her caring nature, genuine interest in everyone she met and her desire to improve opportunities for under privileged young people set her apart. While also a high standard athlete, she enriched the lives of all that met her.
KYM CASSELLS
Kym coached the Lady Miners with great success from 2002 to and including 2010. Debuting as a player in 1995 underlined the longevity of her involvement. As a coach, player and administrator, Kym is a genuine all-rounder who continues to serve the association today as treasurer.
LYNLY DOHERTY
One of the fiercest competitors to represent the Lady Miners, she was captain twice and a multiple winner of the club coaches award. Lynly is currently chairman of the senior elite teams program.
ANDREA NOLAN
An extremely effective blue-collar player and essential in a successful team. Andrea took out MVP awards in 1998, 1999 and 2000. Since her playing days, the former number 12 has managed both Rush and youth league Rush teams.
FRED REUS
Fred brought a winning mentality to a team for which the 1990s had seen many coaching changes. He led the Lady Miners to titles from 1995 to 1999 inclusive. Reus introduced Kym and Kerrie Cassells to the roster to gain experience in 1995 and plucked Amanda Jakiel from juniors in 1996 when both Donna Rinaldi and Karen Reus were injured. Fred played a major role in the resurgence of the Lady Miners to what we see with the Rush now.
KRISTY RINALDI
She is the club SEABL record holder, having played 297 games. She was MVP in 2011 and 2013, coaches award winner in 2007 and 2018. Kristy first captained the team in 2011 and established herself as an outstanding leader. Has given a lot of time and energy to the program including in later years when she has travelled back to town from work commitments in Melbourne.
BEV HARWOOD
In our early years Bev was everyone's second mum within the program. She cared for her players as much as she possibly could, went above and beyond for all the girls and supported the female program when it had little backing. Away from the court she was also heavily involved in the management and organising of the Lady Miners program.
DESIREE GLAUBITZ
One of the first outside players who joined the Lady Miners, Desi raised the bar for the professionalism of the team. Her on court achievements spoke for themselves and it was a privilege to have her within the program. On and off the court she was a genuine leader both for the club and in the community.
PETER CUNNINGHAM
Peter has been a coach and assistant coach within the program and a mentor to many other coaches in the Lady Miners program. His influence across all senior and junior levels and commitment to our girls' program has been a key reason for its success. He has coached at all levels, coached the coaches, provided commentary on live streams, been a committee member and he works tirelessly to keep the programs running.