She joins Alicia Froling, who plays with Bendigo Spirit in the WNBL, as an early signing for Selkirk Rush.

Blower is the first of the homegrown talent to be announced by Basketball Ballarat as being part of the roster.

Blower said while COVID-19 caused the cancellation of NBL1 last year, she was always going to miss 2020.

She said she had already planned to take the year off from playing with Rush to further her teaching career in Charlton.

"As it turned out I didn't miss any."

Blower said she was looking forward to again being part of the Rush program

"I really love all the girls. They've managed to keep the squad together so we know each other well."

Blower said one of her objectives was to take a more prominent role within the team - more responsibility.

"I want to have more of a role," the former Ballarat junior said.

"I have always wanted to step up and I now have confidence to do that."

Blower said she was working on improving her fitness and hoped with that to be able to put up more shots.

She said a group of players had had a couple training runs.

"It's been a good to start, good to some of the cobwebs out.

"I feeling really good and prepared to get out there," she said.

"I can't wait to get back into the swing of things and give back to the Ballarat community.

"It will be great to be able to see everyone's smiling faces around the centre again after such a crazy

year."

Blower says she is also looking forward to reuniting with coaches Eric Hayes and Megan Collins.

"I am so excited to play under Eric Hayes and Megan Collins again.

"I have learnt so much and become a more confident player under their guidance over my time with the Rush.

"I look forward to continuing to learn and grow with them and my team-mates.," she said.

Rush committee member and former Ballarat Lady Miner Lynly Doherty said she was thrilled to see Blower returning to play in her hometown.

"We are excited to have Claire return after a short break to focus on work commitments.

"Claire will provide us with a strong presence around the basket at both ends of the court."

Doherty said Basketball Ballarat, along with Hayes and Collins, had made a point over the time off owing to COVID-19 of remaining connected with players.

She said mental health had been an important issue is this time so it had been important to make a point of staying in touch.

Doherty said training was largely individually based at the moment.

:"Once all the players get back there will be more formal training plan."

She said Rush's primary goal was to retain all the players which had been signed for 2020, with a top priority being to keep the Ballarat players and keep the close ties with the community.

NBL1 South is yet to release fixtures.