Steph Fretwell to return as Sunshine Coast Lightning Super Netball captain for 2025 season
Lightning head coach Belinda Reynolds has praised two key players for spearheading their new aggressive on-court approach while Steph Fretwell will return as captain for 2025.
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The Sunshine Coast Lightning have confirmed its leadership group for the 2025 Super Netball season with Steph Fretwell returning as captain for the fourth consecutive year.
Fretwell, who is Lightning player number one, will be rejoined by Tara Hinchliffe and Liz Watson as vice captains.
“I’m filled with pride to not only be part of this club, but to be captain for another year,” Fretwell said.
“There’s been a lot of change over the years, but it’s exciting to take the same group into another season and see what we can achieve in 2025.”
After grand final defeats in 2017 and 2018, the Lightning claimed their maiden premiership in 2019 but have not been able to progress past the semi-finals in the past four seasons.
“The biggest thing for me this year is I want us to get back to where we were in the first few years, back as that fierce opponent,” Fretwell said.
Lightning head coach, Belinda Reynolds praised the leadership group and what they bring to the team.
“Steph is a big game player who leads by example on and off the court,” she said.
“She’s an incredible leader as she holds high standards for herself and the group, and has such immense pride for our club.
“Liz and Tara complement Steph’s leadership qualities however are exceptionally strong leaders in their own right.
“Liz brings a tenacity to compete to each and every training session and game, and is a well-respected team member who has taken the time to build formidable relationships here at Lightning.
“Tara is a role model within our team but also our community. Her ability to connect with people is the best I’ve seen, and she’s a smart player who continuously dedicates her time to develop our younger talent.”
With the side looking to lose its ‘nice guy’ reputation and step up in physicality for the 2025 season, Reynolds said the leadership trio had been spearheading their new look aggressive approach.
“Liz is always a tenacious, ferocious competitor in games and in training so I think she leads by example in that area,” Reynolds said.
“Tara looks in really good shape this season, she’s a dogged defender and is making it hard for our shooters at training so the leaders are really setting the tone for us.”
Reynolds said Midcourter Leesa Mi Mi, who is recovering from a foot injury, would gain some valuable minutes in their first pre-season game on Friday, 28 February against the NSW Swifts at UniSC Arena.
Following Ava Black’s ACL injury late last month Reynolds also confirmed the club were working through the processes of acquiring a replacement player.
Originally published as Steph Fretwell to return as Sunshine Coast Lightning Super Netball captain for 2025 season
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