Daniel Joyce signs with Ballarat

Basketball Ballarat have announced that Daniel Joyce will join the Ballarat Miners for the 2021 NBL1 South Season.

Joyce played his juniors at the Celtic Tigers before relocating to Illawarra with his family and going onto play in the NBL for the Sydney Kings, Gold Coast Blaze and Illawarra Hawks.

Joyce was excited to be back at Ballarat after coming across from the Canberra Gunners last season in 2020 to play with the Miners before the season was ultimately cancelled.

“I am very excited be returning to the Hotondo Homes Ballarat Miners after our cancelled season last year. To be able to have basketball back in the great community of Ballarat and to be a part of it, is huge. I am thrilled to come back to a great group of players, coaches and staff, who will all be involved with us having a successful season in NBL1,” Joyce said.

Joyce was looking forward to playing in a dynamic team and had great expectations for the season ahead.

“With the young talent already signed and the more quality signings to come, I am expecting great success. I believe we will have a chance for playoffs or bigger this season. By keeping most of the core group from pre-season last year it will allow for familiarity and chemistry. With that and our talent we will have a chance to compete every night,” Joyce said.

Joyce got a brief opportunity in the Ballarat Sports Events Centre in 2020 and was really looking forward to getting on the show court.

“The excitement grows every day in anticipation and to be able to perform for the community in the new Ballarat Sports Events Centre. Even playing in the Senior Ballarat Tournament last year, I got a taste of how remarkable it was. To even think about playing front of a huge crowd opening night, makes me very motivated. After the cancellation of last season, the community were robbed of what would have been a great season. But the silver lining is this has led to growth in excitement for the fans. We can’t wait to show what we can do and hopefully bring success and enjoyment for the community as they deserve it," Joyce said.

Coach Brendan Joyce was excited to have Joyce return for 2021.

“Daniel will increase and boost our offensive attack with his ability and versatility to play both guard positions to create for others and with his understanding of the game, his vision and skill to pass as we know he can knock down the three from long range which will allow us to stretch the floor for other players to also attack the defence of our opponents,” Brendan Joyce said.

This season will provide a great opportunity for upcoming local players to continue their develop with the likes of the experienced players in Joyce supporting them.

“Daniels leadership and experience will also assist us with the development of our younger players in particular Zac, Ethan and Will to improve their games,” the coach said.  

A key milestone will be reached this season when Joyce plays his 100th game for the Miners.

“I am sure he is really happy to be back and looking forward to playing his 100th game for the club especially after suffering his injury in the Senior Ballarat Tournament final last year. I know he is excited to be back playing basketball where it all started at the Minerdome as an 8 year old and now at the Ballarat Sports Events Centre,” Brendan Joyce said.

Joyce joins Zac Dunmore and Jordan Lingard as announced players on the Ballarat roster. The 2021 NBL1 South Season will commence on April 19th when the teams travel to Albury to take on the Albury-Wodonga Bandits.