Super Netball 2022: Sunshine Coast Lightning and coach Kylee Byrne part ways
After a horror season, the Sunshine Coast Lightning are on the hunt for a new coach after the departure of Kylee Byrne.
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Sunshine Coast Lightning’s head coach Kylee Byrne will partways with the club following a horror season where the team failed to make the finals for the first time.
Lightning finished the 2022 Super Netball season with the wooden spoon winning just four of their 14 games.
They twice allowed a team, the Giants and Fever, to score a record number of goals, 82, against them this season.
The change up will mean both Queensland clubs go into the 2023 season with a new coach with Bec Bulley taking over from Megan Anderson at the Firebirds.
Byrne has been with the club for six seasons, first as an assistance coach from 2017-2019 then as head coach from 2020.
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She said it was time to take her coaching in a new direction.
“For the past six years I have given my heart and soul to the Lightning Club and people and will forever be grateful for the opportunity to be a part of what we built from day one,” Byrne said.
“Netball has been a huge part of my life for so long and now it is time to step back and consider what is next for me.”
“In sport, no one person is bigger than the team or the game and the Lightning village and support of those who I have had around me will stay with me forever.”
Lightning CEO, Danielle Smith, thanked her on behalf of everyone at the club.
“Kylee was instrumental in the formation, development and success of Sunshine Coast Lightning since its foundation year, and we thank her enormously for her valuable contribution,” Smith said.
“She led the team to finals campaigns in 2020 and 2021 and managed the team through some challenging pandemic impacted seasons with great care and skill.”
“She has an impressive coaching pedigree including various roles at Netball Australia, Netball Queensland and the Australian Institute of Sport, so she will be in great demand.
“We wish her all the best in her next endeavours, and she will always be part of the Lightning family.”
Lightning has retained star shooters and Diamonds representatives Steph Wood and Cara Koenen for the 2023 season. As well as Jamaican international Kadie-Ann Dehaney – all three played at the Commonwealth Games, returning with gold and silver medals.
South African star defender Karla Pretorius will also return to the team following her maternity leave this season.
Lightning will now commence a search for its next head coach, ready to start in advance of the 2023 pre-season in November.
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