Sunshine Coast Lightning

New franchise

In May 2016, Netball Australia and Netball New Zealand announced that the ANZ Championship would be discontinued after the 2016 season. In Australia it was replaced by Super Netball. The founding members of Super Netball included the five former Australian ANZ Championship teams – Adelaide Thunderbirds, Melbourne Vixens, New South Wales Swifts, Queensland Firebirds and West Coast Fever; plus three brand new franchises: Collingwood Magpies, Giants Netball and Sunshine Coast Lightning.^{[1][2][4][5][6][7]}

In August 2016, Sunshine Coast Lightning was officially launched. The team was formed as a joint venture by Melbourne Storm and the University of the Sunshine Coast with the support of Sunshine Coast Council. The colours of the team - navy blue, purple and yellow - are the same as the Storm's. The logo features a bolt of lightning.^{[1][2][3][8][9][10]}

Noeline Taurua era

Before the official launch of Sunshine Coast Lightning, Noeline Taurua had already been announced as the inaugural head coach of the new franchise.^[9][11][12] In September 2016, Caitlin Bassett and Stephanie Wood became the first two Lightning players.^{[2][13][14][15]} Geva Mentor also subsequently signed for Lightning.^[16][17] In February 2017, Mentor was named captain of the new franchise.^[18][19] In 2017, Lightning finished the season as inaugural champions after defeating Giants Netball 65–48 in the grand final.^{[1][2][20][21][22]} In 2018 they retained the title after defeating West Coast Fever 62–59 in the grand final.^{[1][2][23][24][25]} In 2019, Lightning finished the regular season as minor premiers.^{[1][2][26][27]} They also played in their third successive grand final but this time, they were defeated by New South Wales Swifts.^[28][29] After three seasons as head coach at Lightning, Taurua resigned and was replaced by her assistant at the club, Kylee Byrne.^{[30][31][32][33]}

Regular season statistics

  Premierships
  Minor Premierships

2026 squad

More information Players, Coaching staff ...

2026 Sunshine Coast Lightning roster view talk edit
Players	Coaching staff
Nat. Name Position(s) DoB Height Donnell Wallam GS (1994-01-23) 23 January 1994 (age 32) 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) Ava Black C, WD (2003-06-12) 12 June 2003 (age 23) 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) Courtney Bruce GK, GD (1993-12-08) 8 December 1993 (age 32) 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) Mahalia Cassidy C, WA, WD (1995-10-09) 9 October 1995 (age 30) 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) Ash Ervin GK, GD (2003-05-15) 15 May 2003 (age 23) 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) Karin Burger GD, WD (1993-04-12) 12 April 1993 (age 33) 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) Cara Koenen GS, GA (1996-02-27) 27 February 1996 (age 30) 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) Gabrielle Sinclair GA,GS (1993-07-12) 12 July 1993 (age 32) 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) Leesa Mi Mi WA, C (2001-05-18) 18 May 2001 (age 25) 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) Liz Watson WA, C (1994-03-30) 30 March 1994 (age 32) 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)	Head coach Belinda Reynolds[42] Assistant coaches Jenny Brazel[43] Notes (c) – Captain (cc) – Co-captain (vc) – Vice-captain – Injury / maternity leave (TRP) – Temporary Replacement Player
Player profiles: Team website	Last updated: 05 Nov 2025

Close

Internationals

 Australia

 England

• Geva Mentor
• Kate Shimmin

 Jamaica

• Kadie-Ann Dehaney

 New Zealand

• Laura Langman
• Erena Mikaere

 South Africa

• Phumza Maweni
• Karla Pretorius

 Uganda

• Peace Proscovia

Captains

Award winners

Shooting statistics