After the Melbourne Vixens confirmed yesterday that Kadie-Ann Dehaney would play elsewhere in 2022, the Sunshine Coast Lightning have confirmed they have signed the Jamaican defender for the up-coming season.
In her four seasons at Melbourne, Dehaney proved she is capable playing either Goal Keeper or Goal Defence and will join Kate Shimmin and Tara Hinchliffe as defenders locked in for next season.
It will be a new look Lightning defence, after veteran goal keeper Phumza Maweni announced she would not be re-signing with the club earlier in the signing period.
The 25-year-old Dehaney is agile and athletic and will demand increased court time in 2022 after a strong showing in recent years, taking advantage of every opportunity to shine.
Dehaney caught the eye of Head Coach Kylee Byrne as an emerging defender with plenty of room for improvement.
“What’s really impressed me this season is Kadie-Ann’s ability to show her worth every time she steps out on court and as a coaching team we’re excited to harness and develop that within the Lightning environment,” Byrne said.
“She’s become an in demand defender this player signings season and we are thrilled to have her sign with Lightning and I can’t wait to see how she integrates with and complements our defensive lineup.”
Dehaney said she was greatly looking forward to a change in environment and new growth opportunities.
“I am so excited and grateful for the opportunity to join this Lightning group, because I think it will give me more of an opportunity to grow my game,” Dehaney said.
“Looking from the outside in, the group seems to have a really strong bond on and off the court, and being an international, that environment is something that really appeals to me.
“Readjusting to a new environment after living in Melbourne for so long will be a challenge but I am looking forward to some sunshine on the coast.”
Dehaney notched season career bests in 2021 across each of gains (41), intercepts (16) and deflections (42) and will look to build on that form with increased court time next season.
The 25-year-old will next month play for the Jamaican Sunshine Girls in an international series against Karla Pretorius’s South African side as well as Trinidad and Tobago.
