Miners men get new coach

THE Ballarat Miners elite men’s squad will have a new face pacing the sidelines this NBL1 South season with Luke Sunderland appointed to the role of coach and Basketball Ballarat director of coaching.

He takes on the top job with the Miners after a stint as talent and coaching manager at Willetton Basketball in Western Australia.

“I am excited and humbled to accept the position of director of coaching and NBL1 men’s coach with the Ballarat Miners,” Sunderland said.

“Ballarat is one of the premier associations in the country across all levels with a storied history and I am thankful to Neville and the board for the opportunity.”

Sunderland, who hails from Victoria set up the Elite Edge Basketball in Melbourne and has been the head men’s coach and director of coaching for Western Port Basketball Association.

Basketball Ballarat’s Senior Elite Committee chair Cameron Moore said the new hire was appointed to the role after a nationwide talent search.

“We had a number of high calibre candidates apply for the advertised role of Head Coach and Director of coaching which was pleasing,” Moore said.

“Luke demonstrated particular strengths in player and coach development which are key elements for the future of our program as we continue to build and grow our local athlete and coaching pool.”

Sunderland will relocate to Ballarat in March and the Miner’s 2022 NBL1 South season gets underway in late April.