Rush Retain Wehrung

The Harvey Norman Ballarat Rush is pleased to announce that they have re-signed 2015 co-captain Abbey Wehrung for the 2016 SEABL season.

Wehrung who is in her second year of three with the UC Canberra Capitals in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) is excited to be able to return to the Harvey Norman Rush “home is home” Wehrung continued with “family is important and to get to come back and give back to the club I’ve been with for years since juniors is also important”.

Wehrung earlier this year took out the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) Youth Player of the year under the guidance of Head Coach Peter Cunningham. Wehrung was a standout all year for the Rush and also took home the Robyn Maher Rush Most Valuable Player Award.

Wehrung missed the start of the 2015 SEABL season when she had her appendix removed just 10 days before the first game. She was however, able to return for the fourth game of the season against Kilsyth.

Wehrung for the 2015 season averaged 35.57 minutes a game and contributed on average 17.5 points and 5.7 rebounds. This is an increase on her already impressive average in season 2014 where as an 18 year old she averaged 13.5 points and 4.2 rebounds a game.

Wehrung reflected on the year that has past “it was definitely difficult at times as we lacked depth in our squad”. At times due to injury and illness the team travelled with just six players. Wehrung continued with “I hope the Youth League girls really step up and take every opportunity given to them next year as depth could be a real strength of ours”.

Newly appointed Head Coach David Flint spoke about the signing of Wehrung “Now that Abbey has signed on the 2016 SEABL season, we are now able to begin to put the other pieces together for next year’s team.”

Flint has always has a keen interested in Wehrung’s progression through all levels of basketball stating “I have had the opportunity over the years to watch Abbey’s development through the Country Victorian State Program, the Ballarat Rush and the Canberra Capitals of the WNBL” Flint continued “but now I get the ability first hand to coach her on the floor and assist her in elevating her game to the next level”.

Wehrung is excited to work with Flint, stating “Dave will be really really good, it is like a new chapter in the Rush book and I think Dave will be able to get the best out all the girls individually and as a team”.

Wehrung continued “Dave I am sure will put together a good group and if we can retain a few players from last year as well as recruit well, we will be able to build on the chemistry that we created towards the end of this year”

Flint spoke just a highly of Wehrung “Abbey has a tremendous work ethic and is a terrific person who has been fantastic role model for junior players coming through our program, her impressive 2015 season with the Rush culminating in earning the SEABL Youth League player of the year. Flint went on “Abbey will be an instrumental part of our program moving forward and making a concerted effort of making the Finals in 2016”

Wehrung played her first game of the WNBL season over the weekend where the Capitals took on Dandenong Rangers. Wehrung had 26 and half minutes scored eight points, had four rebounds and two assists in the season opener. Despite the Capitals best efforts they went down by eight points.

Wehrung will return to Ballarat at the end of the UC Capitals season which could either be as early as mid-February or late March depending on how deep they go into the WNBL play off season.

For more information about Wehrung’s signing or details about the Harvey Norman Ballarat Rush and GMHBA Ballarat Miners please contact Elite Teams Administrator Melissa Thomas via Melissa.Thomas@ballaratbasketball.com or 5330 7604