Sunshine Coast Lightning training partner lands New Zealand deal on cusp of season

Sunshine Coast Lightning shooter Charlie Bell has been picked up as an injury replacement player with an overseas club.

Sunshine Coast shooter Charlie Bell won’t be court side for the opening rounds of Super Netball after jetting over to New Zealand as a replacement player for the Tactix.

Bell, who was called into the Lightning squad last season to replace the injured Reilley Batcheldor was unlucky to miss out on a spot as one of the squad’s 10 contracted players this season – instead named as a training partner.

Bell played seven SSN games last season and had also previously been a training partner with the Firebirds.

Lightning coach Belinda Reynolds said at Thursday’s press conference that it was a great opportunity for Bell.

“It’s really tough, she was a contracted player for us last year and a lot of our training partners were on the SSN court so for her to get an opportunity in New Zealand to go over there and learn and train alongside the likes of (Jane) Watson and (Karin) Burger,” she said.

“While we will miss Charlie in our training environment, we absolutely look forward to seeing what she can do over there.”

Charlie Bell is leaving the Lightning for the Tactix. Picture: Jenny Evans/Getty Images

Bell has been signed by Tactix for at least the first two rounds of the ANZ Premiership, which also starts this weekend.

If it isn’t extended Bell could be back before the Lightning have to name their 11th player for the season.

Reynolds said she hadn’t locked in who her 11th player would be.

“We’ve got up until Round 3 to sign that person,” Reynolds said.

“We’re looking to see what the first few rounds do and then decide after that.

“It is open to all of our training partners so it will be based on what the team needs moving forward.”

Lightning will launch their Super Netball season on Sunday against NSW Swifts.

Reynolds is expecting to have to put up a fight – despite the home court advantage.

“The Swifts have been a formidable side for a number of years now and it is a hard contest to get first up but we’re walking towards that,” Reynolds said.

“I think it will give us a real sign of where this team is at. We have a lot of respect for the Swifts and for all of their players on the court. I think we have what it takes to match up against them. Historically we’ve lined up really well against them – it is going to be a great game and I think it will come down to the wire.”

Lightning coach Belinda Reynolds has spoken to the team about dealing with pressure and expectation. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images for Netball Australia)

It is the first time in a number of years Lightning go into a season with an expectation of making finals – mostly due to the impressive players they managed to recruit in the off-season including Diamonds stars Courtney Bruce and Liz Watson.

Add to the mix Cara Koenen, Steph Fretwell and Tara Hinchcliffe the Lightning are not lacking skills.

Reynolds said pressure and expectation was something she had addressed with the players during the pre-season.

“We’ve certainly addressed how well we have recruited in the off-season and we’re really proud of the list that we have assembled,” Reynolds said.

“We’re very clear that nothing is a given and everything is earned. We know that each and every game in SSN is so close and we will absolutely have to do our homework on our opposition and really play to our strengths which we’ve got plenty of this year.”

Defender Ashleigh Ervin said there was no denying the extra pressure this season.

“We do have some really good names on our team but I think the focus for us this year has been to block that out and just play how we want to play and not really listen to that,” Ervin said.

“There is pressure and we do want to step up and show people that we can be the team that they want us to be and you rise to the occasion.”

Lightning will host Swifts at 4pm on Sunday.