Baylee Boyd to make her Super Netball debut for Sunshine Coast Lightning

A Sunshine Coast junior is set to make her Super Netball debut this weekend when the Lightning begin their 2025 campaign against the Melbourne Mavericks.

Rising Sunshine Coast Lightning netball talent Baylee Boyd. Picture: Sunshine Coast Lightning.

The Sunshine Coast Lightning will begin their 2025 Super Netball campaign this weekend with a key local junior in line to make her official debut.

Rising talent Baylee Boyd has been called into the Lightning squad that will travel to Melbourne to play the Mavericks at John Cain Arena on Saturday evening.

The round one clash was too soon of a turnaround for Leesa Mi Mi who will spend an extra week on the sidelines as she recovers from a calf injury.

Boyd, 19, has risen through the Sunshine Coast netball ranks and has the full backing of head coach Belinda Reynolds.

“We’re really excited to see what Baylee can do on the court this weekend,” Reynolds said.

Rising Sunshine Coast Lightning netball talent Baylee Boyd. Picture: Sunshine Coast Lightning.

“She came to Team Girls Cup with us and matched up against some great players of the competition and did a really good job so we’re really confident Baylee can add something different for us on game day.”

Teammate Tara Hinchcliffe said she was looking forward to seeing what impact the former Siena Catholic College student could have.

“I think it’s such an exciting opportunity for Baylee,” Hinchcliffe said.

“She’s been such a strong presence in our pre-season by challenging us every step of the way and she’s had some good exposure against different teams

“I think she’s more than ready and I’m excited for her and her family to relish the moment and be welcomed by the Lightning community down in Melbourne.”

Belinda Reynolds, head coach of the Lightning speaks to her players during the 2025 Suncorp Team Girls Cup. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images.

In 2024, the Mavericks inaugural Super Netball season, the Melbourne-based outfit recorded two one point victories over the Lightning.

“Those two losses are still burning in our bellies so we’re really eager to turn that ledger,” Reynolds said.

“I think the Mavericks were in great form at the Team Girls Cup recently, Shimona Jok is in awesome form as a real formidable shooter so we’ll have our work cut out.

“There’s always those nerves in round one but that solid consistent performance is what we’re chasing.

“I think we haven’t been clean in our turnover to score during the pre-season so we’ll be looking to punish any opportunity we get in all four quarters.”

The opening clash will also be a memorable one for Liz Watson who is set to play her 150th National League match.

“She’s been a formidable competitor in the competition for quite some time,” Reynolds said.

“If the two one goal losses and Liz’s milestone doesn’t give you enough motivation I don’t know what will.”

Originally published as Baylee Boyd to make her Super Netball debut for Sunshine Coast Lightning