The Sunshine Coast Lightning have confirmed their 2020 training partners, announcing that up and coming Queensland recruit Annabelle Lawrie will join returning training partners Ashlee Unie, Binnian Hunt and Sienna Allen.
This marks Unie and Hunt’s third year as Lightning training partners, while Allen has signed on for her second consecutive year.
The signings bolster both ends of the court for Lightning; Hunt and Lawrie are both versatile shooters, with Unie and Allen plying their trade in defence.
Lightning Head Coach Kylee Byrne said the Club was pleased to retain the talented trio, as well as giving an opportunity to another emerging Queensland prospect, with both on and off court attributes taken into consideration.
“I am delighted to welcome back Ash, Sienna and Binnian to our Club,” Byrne said.
“They have shown over the last few years that they have the talent, commitment and desire to push for future positions in the Lightning team and also in the Netball Australian pathway.
“To be able to build on what we have already achieved with these three is really exciting, they also know how we work and the expectations of the Club and aren’t afraid to get in there give it everything.
“To add a fresh, new talent to the group also keeps everyone on their toes and adding Annabelle to our squad sees us build that next layer underneath as well.
“We had kept an eye on Annabelle this year after she joined us for some preseason matches and for her now to take the step to the wider squad is testament to how quickly she has come on in 2019.”
Gold Coast product, Annie Lawrie, impressed at Goal Attack for eventual Premiers the QUT Wildcats in the Sapphire Series finals campaign last month.
Despite being just 18-years of age, the shooter showed skill and composure when given the opportunity to step up from the Ruby Series earlier in the year.
In addition to training with Lightning this season, Ash Unie - who shows promise at both Goal Defence and Wing Defence – co-captained Territory Storm in the ANL and was USC Thunder’s inaugural captain.
Goalkeeper Sienna Allen, who originally hails from South Australia, represented both Sunshine Coast affiliate sides Territory Storm and USC Thunder this season, forming a strong defensive combination with Unie.
Meanwhile shooter Binni Hunt played for Territory Storm in the ANL competition and featured in the North Brisbane Cougars’ Sapphire Series campaign, who fell short of the Wildcats in the Grand Final.
The four training partners joined Lightning team members in the first official training sessions at USC this week.
