Steph Fretwell to lead Sunshine Coast Lightning as Diamonds boost Super Netball title hopes
Steph Fretwell (nee Wood) is back as captain for the Sunshine Coast Lightning but this season there is something she has never experienced before.
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Steph Fretwell will lead the new-look Sunshine Coast Lightning for the third consecutive year – only this time there is pressure and an expectation to win.
Fretwell (nee Wood) was the first player signed for the Lightning during its foundation year in 2017.
She has been along for the ride, including the past few tough seasons when the Lightning has struggled to get points on the board. The side won just four games in 2022 and six last year.
A massive recruitment drive has landed two of the sport’s biggest names at the Sunshine Coast club – Diamonds captain and former Vixens star Liz Watson and Diamonds and former Fever captain Courtney Bruce.
With Fretwell and Cara Koenen re-signing, the squad has a Diamonds player in every third of the court.
Fretwell said it was an honour to retain the captaincy, especially with so many proven leaders in the team.
“It doesn’t matter if I’m in a leadership position or if I’m not in a leadership position, I’ll always play the same way, I’m not going to change,” Fretwell said.
“I will always be able to speak up.
“We’ve been able to recruit well, we have two captains from a previous club, but I also think that in general strengthens our whole leadership across the court.
“It’s not something I ever take for granted. I put my hand up to be put in a leadership position so I’m really happy that I’ve been able to get the captaincy.
“But I also know that it’s going to take every single one of us and leadership across the court in all positions for us to have a successful year.”
Experts and fans have already dubbed the Lightning the team to beat based on its experienced line-up.
Fretwell said the names on the team sheet added a level of pressure she hadn’t had before as captain of the Lightning.
“There is probably pressure on us because of the list that we’ve been able to put together and we all want to make sure the Lightning is successful this year,’’ she said.
“We know that it’s not just because you’ve been able to put a list together that can from the outside look like we could be a premiership-winning team. You still have to make sure that you put it out on the court.
“Belinda (Reynolds) and the coaching staff push us to make sure that we’re continually improving and gelling as a team.”
Helping Fretwell in leadership roles will be Watson and Tara Hinchliffe.
Lightning coach Belinda Reynolds said there was no denying Fretwell’s ability to lead the team.
“Steph is an incredible leader because of her on-court leadership in moments that matter,” Reynolds said. “She wants the ball in her hand when games are on the line.
“The consistency in her performance, her smarts of the game alongside her passion for the club make her the ultimate competitor and leader.
“Steph drives the standards within our group and I look forward to working alongside her to guide our team to reach its potential this year.”
Reynolds described Hinchliffe as a well-rounded leader who was respected by the entire club.
She said Watson’s appointment demonstrated how quickly she had become an integral part of the team.
“It speaks volumes that Liz has recently joined our team and has already been appointed into a leadership position,” Reynolds said.
“I believe Liz was voted in by her peers as she is an authentic leader who takes the time to connect with her team members and staff.
“I know Liz will bring strong on-court leadership with her high work ethic, dominant and consistent performance as well as sharing her knowledge to help develop our young talent.”
THE TEAM
While the list might be headlined by four big stars, there are several fairly inexperienced players and two Super Netball rookies who make up the rest of the squad.
Reilley Batcheldor is back after missing last year with a torn ACL, while Leesa Mi Mi, Ava Black and Ash Ervin are among the less experienced Super Netball players on the team.
Fretwell said they had just as an important role to play as the Bruce and Watson.
“It was a big part of the recruitment process,’’ she said. “It’s all well and good to have a successful team one year but you want to have sustained success.
“All of the players who have been around are willing to share our knowledge.
“We don’t want to be gatekeepers, we want to help make every single one of our squad members better, even our training partners.
“We want everyone to get better because that just means it pushes everyone to be better and that is what will make our team more successful.”
THE GOALS
Fretwell isn’t a stranger to having success with her domestic club.
She was there when the side won back-to-back premierships in 2017 and 2018 and played in the 2019 grand final.
However, the 32-year-old hasn’t played in a netball final since 2021.
“I’m out to make finals as we haven’t played finals and we also haven’t won a final since 2019,” said Fretwell, who retired from international netball last year. “That’s the focus.”
The captain is looking forward to watching the team come together and building a great on-court combination with Watson.
“She’s a big ball handler and is probably attacking the posts a little bit more, and having the mix up between being inside and outside the circle, so that’s one for me,’’ she said.
“Then just making sure we have a happy team and we’re building on those relationships off court because I think that is what makes people play well on court.”
TEAM GIRLS CUP
Fretwell will have the perfect chance to help the team start building on their relationships on and off the court at the Team Girls Cup in Sydney this weekend.
The shooter said the competition was about so much more than a pre-season hitout.
“It’s really important as you get to go and scout out other teams,” Fretwell said.
“I’m sure all of our performance staff and coaches will be going and seeing what other teams are putting out there and you want to see what your combinations can do on court.
“It’s a fine balance between making sure you’re solidifying some combinations but also trying new things.
“I think successful teams also build really great relationships off court so we get to spend five nights down in Sydney and get a bit of team bonding.
“That’s really important to build on those relationships because that strengthens everything.”
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Originally published as Steph Fretwell to lead Sunshine Coast Lightning as Diamonds boost Super Netball title hopes
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