The Sunshine Coast Lightning have retained the talented trio of Binnian Hunt, Sienna Allen and Annabelle Lawrie with Maddie Hinchliffe being named training partner for the first time.
Hunt and Lawrie both made their Super Netball debut last year, gaining exposure to the demands of elite netball.
A foot injury sustained in the pre-season hampered Allen’s ability to gain court-time in 2020, however the defender has been completing rehabilitation in preparation for the upcoming season.
Hinchliffe is an exciting inclusion to the squad and has also experienced netball at the higher level, making her Super Netball debut in 2019 when elevated to the Firebirds senior squad for one match.
Lightning Head Coach Kylee Byrne said she is excited to see how the returning trio and newcomer can make an impact with the team this season.
“I’ve seen real progression in Binni, Annie and Sienna and believe the Lightning program has helped each of them to really elevate their game and build on a solid talent base,” Byrne said.
“They have also shown the maturity to recognise that one of their primary responsibilities as a training partner is to play their role in the team so the entire group can improve and function.
“Binni showed that her on court presence translates at the higher SSN level and when we put our confidence in her, she delivered.
“It is clear that Annie has immense talent and her hard work in training earned her a promotion to the extended squad and eventually her SSN debut and she will certainly learn from that experience.
“While Sienna was restricted last season, I have witnessed her determination to responsibly rehabilitate her injury and am confident that she is ready to put in the work to finesse her craft in 2021.”
“I have coached Maddie previously and she has always been on the radar as an athlete who has still got so much potential to progress through the SSN ranks,” Byrne said.
“You know with Maddie that she will do the work and not leave any stone unturned in preparation for her own performance, so now the exciting part of what we can add to her game and how she can add to our Lightning squad comes into play.
Hinchliffe, Hunt, Lawrie and Allen have all joined the squad back at training to get their 2021 pre-season underway.
