Steph Wood has taken home the Player of the Year award at the Sunshine Coast Lightning's annual "A Night With Lightning" gala event.
It is the second time the Sunshine Coast vice-captain has won the award, the first being in 2018 when she shared the award with now-captain Karla Pretorius.
Head Coach Kylee Byrne praised Wood for another strong season, solidifying her reputation as a playmaker and true leader out on court.
“Steph is an incredibly talented attacking player but it’s also her influence on those around her that makes her so special,” Byrne said.
“Her ability to lift her teammates and demand the best out of those around her, as well as herself, is second to none and she is very deserving of this accolade tonight.”
Wood's shooting partner Cara Koenen had a busy night behind the podium as well, being named both the Players’ Player of the Year winner for 2021 and the winner of the Wise Employment Members’ Player of the Year award.
“What Cara has been able to achieve in recent seasons is immeasurable, so I am not surprised that she was voted by her peers for this prestigious award,” Byrne said.
“Fiercely determined and always with a smile, Cara is a great asset to our Club both on and off court and that favour obviously carries over into the community.”
This year’s Downer Team Spirit Award went to newcomer Kate Shimmin, who despite only being at the Club for one season has made quite an impact.
“Kate is such a quality person and we really love what she has brought to Lightning this year,” Byrne said.
“She’s supportive and encouraging to everyone around her and selflessly plays her role in the team, but she also uses her voice to challenge the status quo.
“She brings such passion to the team and you can see that at training, out on court and even her excitement and cheers from the sidelines during matches.”
Ashlee Unie may have been restricted to the sidelines due to injury this season, however, her impact was still great – awarded as this year’s UnityWater Community Champion.
“It was incredibly important to Ash that she was meaningfully contributing to the team and the Club this season and that hard work and dedication has paid off with her being named Community Champion,” Byrne said.
“She really took it upon herself to go above and beyond and to live the Lightning values – working closely with our Community Manager to bring the Confident Girls Foundation program to life.
“Ash is a highly regarded player who has a real inquisitiveness about her and that no doubt helped drive her to be out there in the community as a real custodian of our Lightning team.”
The Gala also gave the Club the opportunity to celebrate and farewell departing players Peace Proscovia and Phumza Maweni, who will leave the Club at seasons’ end.
