Sunshine Coast Lightning coach Kylee Byrne believes the club’s newest training partner, Maddie Hinchliffe, will experience “a big year”.
The 22-year-old’s signing completes their 2021 roster during pre-season.
Hinchliffe, who played one Suncorp Super Netball game for Queensland Firebirds in 2019, is a promising defensive midcourter who is expected to grow her game at the Lightning.
“She has always been on the radar as an athlete who has still got so much potential to progress through the SSN ranks,” Byrne said.
“She has the netball smarts and desire to really excel this year in the Lightning environment.
“You know with Maddie that she will do the work and not leave any stone unturned in preparation for her own performance, so now the exciting part of what we can add to her game and how she can add to our Lightning squad comes into play.
“I am predicting a big year for Maddie and can’t wait to see what she can do.”
Hinchliffe joins returning training partners Binnian Hunt, Annie Lawrie and Sienna Allen.
The 181cm talent was previously a training partner at the Firebirds and is a twin sister to Firebirds defender Tara Hinchliffe.
She’ll provide back-up for a Lightning midcourt, which has lost star New Zealand representative Laura Langman (retired).
The club’s 10-player roster proper includes established midcourters Laura Scherian and Maddy McAuliffe, former training partner Ashlee Unie and ex-Firebird Mahalia Cassidy.
A schedule for the season is yet to be announced.
Lightning 2021 roster
Forwards: Cara Koenen, Peace Proscovia, Steph Wood, Binnian Hunt (training partner), Annabelle Lawrie (training partner).
Midcourters: Laura Scherian, Maddy McAuliffe, Ashlee Unie, Mahalia Cassidy, Maddie Hinchliffe (training partner).
Defenders: Phumza Maweni, Karla Pretorius, Kate Shimmin, Sienna Allen (training partner).
Coaches: Kylee Byrne, Chris Voge (assistant).
