WNBL champions to return to Ballarat

BENDIGO Spirit will bolster its ties with Ballarat by playing another home game at Selkirk Stadium during the 2025-26 Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) season.

The reigning WNBL champions will make a welcome return to Ballarat in round eight for a regional Victorian clash with Geelong Venom on 5 December

The Spirit last played at Selkirk Stadium last November, defeating Southside Flyers 79-71 on their way to claiming their first WNBL title since 2013-14.

In a stirring finish to the game, the Spirit came from 15-points down at half-time and 11 down at three-quarter time to claim an eight-point triumph, much to the delight of a vocal Ballarat crowd.

Former Ballarat association junior Abbey Wehrung was a key off the bench for the Spirit with 13 points, three rebounds, an assist and a steal in a happy homecoming.

Both Wehrung and fellow Miners star Micah Simpson have re-signed for the Spirit.

Eager for a return, Spirit head coach Kennedy Kereama – who is also head coach of the Ballarat Miners women’s team in the NBL1 – hailed the growing and important connection between Bendigo and Ballarat.

“We are really thrilled to be working with Ballarat Basketball during the regular WNBL season once again,” Kereama said.

“The quality of basketball in this area is really impressive, and we know how much the people of Ballarat love their basketball, so it will be great to be back and play in front of a Ballarat home crowd.

“Abbey and Micah are both much loved members of the community here given they play for the Miners as well as the Spirit, so we’re confident the crowd will be on our side when we return to play in December.”

In a celebration of the country’s top female basketball league returning to Ballarat, three-time Olympian and five-time WNBL champion Marianna Tolo visited Ballarat on Tuesday for a clinic with some of Ballarat’s finest up-and-coming basketball talent.

Her visit included a question and answer forum, followed by a skills and drills session.

“Like so many regional centres, Ballarat is a hot bed of up-and-coming basketball talent,” Tolo said.

“Although I know that Ballarat and Bendigo can be viewed as rivals in some respects, we received such great support when we played here last year.”