Ashlee Unie says she’s proud to be the first local to earn a full-time contract with the Sunshine Coast Lightning and she’s determined to make the most of the opportunity.
The 24-year-old, who started playing on the region’s courts as a six-year-old, has been on the fringes of selection during the past few seasons, as a training partner.
Now, she’s ready to make a regular impression.
“It’s great to be rewarded with a spot in the 10 (player roster),” she said.
“I’m really conscious that the Sunshine Coast netball community has been barracking for me to get this opportunity for a while and I’m quite proud to be a poster girl I suppose for young netballers on the Coast.”
“I learned to play here, I played my rep netball from here and I’ve been able to make it on to the national stage without straying too far, so it’s something that does make me really proud and it’s with the support of everyone in the Sunshine Coast netball community over decades that got me here.”
The Buderim Mountain Primary and Matthew Flinders Anglican College product made her Super Netball debut earlier this year and has notched three matches.
The wing defence/goal defence is ready to ramp it up next year.
“I want to make the most of the opportunity I’ve been given. I’ve worked for a spot like this for a number of years so it’s not something I’m going to let slip through my hands.”
“So, I will play the role the team needs for me and push myself to be the best I can be and push the girls to be the best they can be, so Lightning can reclaim the number one spot.”
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Unie said her netball had vastly improved while at the club.
“Over the last few years my game has changed drastically, due to perseverance and great coaches and colleagues and players, who have shared their wisdom,” she said.
“Something Lightning does (well) is game awareness, knowing what’s going to happen next and what to do in certain situations.
“That maturity in match play is something I wasn’t exposed to before and it’s something I’ve been fortunate enough to have a closer look at with some of the senior players in our squad.”
She’s learned a lot from star goal defence Karla Pretorius.
“We’re not short on superstars at Lightning so I’ve been pretty fortunate to be around a lot of different players, but the way Karla conducts herself has been quite inspirational to me, the way she can go on court and deliver week in, week out and push herself and run around at training and expect the best of herself and others but off court be the most humble person. She’s certainly one I love working alongside.”
LIGHTNING SQUAD: Mahalia Cassidy (Firebirds), Cara Koenen, Phumza Maweni, Maddy McAuliffe, Karla Pretorius, Peace Proscovia, Laura Scherian, Kate Shimmin (Thunderbirds), Ashlee Unie (Lightning promotion), Steph Wood.
