Rush signs basketball gold medallist

AHEAD of the 2021 NBL1 South Season, basketball veteran Alicia Froling is the first player to be announced for the Selkirk Ballarat Rush.

Having previously signed with the Rush ahead of the 2020 NBL1 South Season before its cancellation, Froling continued to work closely with Basketball Ballarat throughout the lockdown to support juniors and community programs virtually from her home in Townsville.

Formerly having represented Australia at both under-17 and under-19 level and at the 2019 World University Games winning a gold medal, Froling said she was excited to return to Ballarat.

“I loved the short time I spent at the program this past season and am excited to get on the court and play for Ballarat,” she said.

“Both Eric and Megan are great coaches and better people so I can’t wait to finally get to play for them.

“I am especially looking forward to working with kids and passing on my love and knowledge of the game.”

Froling played for Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas from 2014 to 2019 before signing with the Bendigo Spirit in the 2019/20 WNBL Season where she will return this summer before her first season in the NBL1 South and Ballarat.

Elite Teams committee member Lynly Doherty said she was looking forward to having Froling return.

“The 2020 Selkirk Ballarat Rush team was one of the most exciting groups the coaches had put together in a while but unfortunately given the cancellation of the season, we didn’t get to see them take to the court,” she said.

“Our priority has been to reach out to those players and we are thrilled Alicia has again committed to pulling on the Rush jersey.

“Alicia brings experience, maturity and leadership to the team and while her time here was cut short at the start of the year, she embraced the Ballarat Basketball community.”