Basketball Ballarat is pleased to announce that Ashleigh “Splash” Spencer has re-signed with the newly named Ballarat Škoda Rush as Basketball Ballarat also welcomes Škoda to the team as their new naming rights sponsor.
Spencer played her first season of SEABL in 2016 after four years at College and a season with the Bendigo Spirit. Ballarat Škoda Rush Head Coach David Flint said of the re-signing “Splash had a tremendous first SEABL season with the Rush last year starting 21 games, shooting 50% from the floor and 88% from the Free Throw line. She also averaged an outstanding 13.2 points per game to go along with 6.1 rebounds”
Spencer’s best game for the season came when the team needed it most, the final weekend of the season, the Rush had to win two games and hope other results went their way to secure a finals spot. Spencer pulled out a double double against Geelong scoring 18 points and pulling down 11 rebounds to help the Rush secure the win.
Despite Spencers performance and the Rush winning both games not all results went their way and they missed the finals.
Spencer returned to the Spirit for the 2016/17 WNBL season where she is playing an important role off the bench.
Flint added “Our objective is to put a team on the floor that will be capable of making a run at the SEABL finals and being able to start Splash and Joy (Burke) in the front court will be difficult for any team to match up on.”
On re-signing Spencer said “I am thrilled to be back with the newly named Ballarat Škoda Rush, I thoroughly enjoyed 2016 and can’t wait to build on the strides we made last year”.
Spencer commented on her work with the Spirit “I’m loving my time in Bendigo and taking each opportunity I get and using it to improve myself both physically and mentally and I can’t wait to bring all the things I learnt back to the Rush and help build our team.”
Spencer finished with “we certainly have what it takes to go to that next level as a club and I am excited to be a part of that.”
Spencer has re-signed in the same week that the Rush signed their new naming rights sponsor Ballarat Škoda. Škoda is new to the Ballarat market having only been here for the last two months and are excited about the new three year deal that ties them to the Rush and Basketball in Ballarat.
Ballarat Škoda Dealer Principal Scott Moysey said “The strategic partnership between Ballarat Škoda and the Ballarat Rush is an exciting step for both parties. Škoda has a strong background in sponsoring sporting events and teams across the globe and we felt that Ballarat Škoda was perfect fit for the Ballart Rush team.
Moysey added “Many of our staff are heavily involved in supporting Basketball Ballarat and we couldn’t be happier with the relationship and long term benefits for both parties.”
Moysey finished with “With a three-year sponsorship in place, Ballarat Škoda has a long-term commitment to not only the Ballarat Rush but the Ballarat community”
Basketball Ballarat CEO thanked Moysey and Ballarat Skoda for lending their support to women’s sport in regional Victoria. “This long-term commitment makes it possible for us to plan well into the future with the development of our female athletes”.
Senior Elite Rush Team Committee Chair Kym Cassells said “The signing on Škoda comes at a great time for the Rush as we continue to build our team for 2017” Cassells added “Škoda is one of the world’s fastest growing car manufacturers and it great to have the Ballarat dealership support our team and community.”
The Ballarat Škoda Rush now have four players confirmed with Import Joy Burke expected to arrive in January, Veteran Kristy Rinaldi, Lydia Brooks and now Spencer. Flint is confident he will have a strong side to compete for a championship in 2017 and more players will be announced in due course.
For more information on the GMHBA Miners or Ballarat Škoda Rush please contact Elite Teams Administrator Melissa Thomas via 5330 7604 or Melissa.Thomas@ballaratbasketball.com