Trio of Signings for Miners

The Ballarat Miners Men are pleased to announce the signing of three key local players ahead of the 2024 Mitsubishi NBL1 South Season, with Zac Dunmore, Ned Renfree, and Ethan Fiegert all committing to the club. All 3 athletes have progressed through the Ballarat Domestic, Junior, and Youth League Programs, starting with domestic clubs; Celtic Tigers, Saints & Phoenix respectively. 

Miners Head Coach, Luke Brennan, was pleased to lock away the trio saying ““One of my first priorities when I got the job was to resign Ballarat juniors that were already in the program. Ned, Zac, and Ethan are all just scratching the surface of their basketball careers. More importantly, they are Ballarat guys who understand what it means to play for the Miners.” 

Brennan added, “I have already been impressed with their work ethic and team-first mentality. I cannot wait to see them continue to grow as the season progresses.” 

Dunmore, returning for his seventh season at NBL1 (SEABL) level, said, “I’m super pumped to be back with the Miners this season. I can’t wait to hit the court with the boys and play in front of the best home crowd in the league.” 

Renfree, who returns after a breakout second half of last season, said “I’m happy to be back for another year with the Miners and at the NBL1 level. It was always a dream of mine as a kid coming to watch the Miners play, so making that dream a reality these past few seasons has been so surreal, I’m looking forward to getting stuck into it with Luke and the boys.” 

Fiegert secures a full-time roster spot after playing an important role as captain of our Youth League program since returning home from time spent away at College in the US and a serious ankle injury. For Ethan, signing on for the NBL1 Miners team was a proud moment, saying, “I’m super excited to be a part of the NBL1 program this year., it was definitely a main goal of mine to step up from the Youth League Program into the NBL1 team. I am very excited to play under and learn from, Coach Luke Brennan this year, and I can’t wait to play in front of our great home crowd fans!’ 

Senior Elite Teams committee member, Matt Sheehan said “Extremely happy to have Ned, Zac and Ethan commit to the Miners for the upcoming NB1 season. All players have been through our junior Miners program so it was imperative we retain them as a priority as they are core to our elite program and shows the true pathway for our junior boys and girls to reach NBL1 level.” 

Sheehan added, “Zac is coming off a huge pre-season, he is truly committed to the Miners and is ready to step up for whatever Coach Luke needs of him this year. Ethan is on the comeback trail after a significant injury sidelined him for some time. Ethan last year played extremely well for our Youth League Team. He has been working hard in the off season and has been rewarded with a full time gig in the NBL1 Program. Ned has literally just finished the Under 20 Nationals campaign for the Victoria Men’s team yesterday while winning the gold medal and playing a significant role in the teams win.” 

“I’m really excited for all 3 men at where they are at in their basketball journey and the year ahead”. 

With Zac, Ned & Ethan coming on board, it brings the roster to 8 signed players for the 2024 NBL1 South season behind new combo guard, Nicholas Stoddart, along with returning players in Jake Lloyd, Max Cody, Amos Brooks, & returning import MVP Tyler Rudolph, with a couple of more key signings still to come. 

The NBL1 South Season begins on April 3rd when the Miners take on Bendigo Braves at Selkirk Stadium. Memberships are now on sale via Miners Memberships