Annie Collins returns to the Rush

Basketball Ballarat have announced up and coming local talent Annie Collins will continue as part of the Ballarat Rush in the 2021 NBL1 South Season.

Coach Eric Hayes was looking forward to seeing Collins continue her development across the youth and senior teams. 

“Annie has been connected with the NBL1 South program and youth league program for the last two years. She [Collins] is a very good defender and has a very nice three-point shot which will be very handy as she steps up to the senior level,” Hayes said.

“Annie will be a key player in the youth league side and she will get some opportunities in our NBL1 side as the year progresses along.”

Collins averaged just under nine minutes across 15 games for the Rush in 2019 and was eager to be back on the court.

“I am very excited to be back for 2021 and to be a part of the Selkirk Ballarat Rush. It will be great to be able to play at the Ballarat Sports Events Centre for the upcoming NBL1 season,” Collins said.

“I am definitely looking forward to playing under Eric Hayes and Megan Collins. I have been exposed to Eric's coaching for many years now, and he has taught me a lot about the game, so it’s exciting to play under both Eric and Megan who bring so much experience and knowledge about the game.

“I am also looking forward to getting back and involved in the community, we love it when the community comes to support us on gameday so being able to do the same for them is exciting, especially after the 12 months of not being able to.” 

Collins joins Alicia Froling, Claire Blower, Claire Constable and Kristy Rinaldi as players announced on the Ballarat roster ahead of the 2021 NBL1 South Season.