Lightning Assistant Coach Kylee Byrne said she was excited to have such high-calibre athletes on deck leading into the 2019 season and that all four players can look forward to a huge preseason as the Lightning prepare to defend their title.
“We kept a close eye on all pathway athletes in 2018 and we believe these four have the potential to be Sunshine Coast Lightning athletes in the future,” Byrne said.
Sunshine Coast native Ashlee Unie is no stranger to the club having spent both the 2017 season as a training partner for the Lightning. The defender said she hopes the training partner role will be a stepping stone to one day playing in the Suncorp Super Netball league.
“With progress in women’s sport, it’s become more of a viable reality to pursue a career in sport and something I’ve always wanted, so I’m pretty excited that potentially one day my dream could be realised.”
Binnian Hunt, who grew up in Deception Bay, is one of the country’s most exciting attacking talents and will have a chance to prove herself after overcoming a knee injury. Like Unie, Hunt spent the 2018 season as a Lightning training partner and, according to Coach Byrne, the now healthy Hunt should expect an expanded role with the team in 2019.
“Binnian is one of the most exciting junior pathway athletes and to have a preseason with her injury-free means we can prepare her for some amazing performances this season.”
Fellow training partner Sienna Allen, who debuted for Southern Force in the Australian Netball League earlier this year, said it was the experienced coaching staff and potential to learn that attracted her to the Sunshine Coast Lightning.
“Joining Lightning is all about learning from the amazing coaches and players at the club and continuing to develop my game. Lightning really makes an effort to integrate training partners into the program, allowing them to learn from the club’s experienced senior players,” she said.
Chanel Dyer spent the 2018 season with the Queensland Fusion ANL team and will add some depth and speed through the Lightning’s midcourt.
The newcomers will train alongside the 10-strong Lightning squad throughout the Suncorp Super Netball preseason.
