100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

Determined Lightning defenders press claims for more game time

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

New home for club celebrating 50 years

A Sunshine Coast club that has been kicking goals for half a century will benefit from a special present for its golden anniversary. Caloundra City More

Record number of runners set for event, roads to close

A record turnout is expected for one of Australia's most scenic running events. More than 8500 participants are set to tackle the ASICS Runaway Noosa More

How ‘diving on concrete’ shaped Maroons rookie

Trent Loiero counts Queensland hardman Michael Crocker among his muses. But the Melbourne forward feels he's struck the balance between fire and finesse ahead of More

Play on: project progresses after wild weather

A multimillion-dollar sport and rec complex is still expected to open late next year despite wild weather disrupting works, although one of its tenants More

Stroke survivor to use race as ‘chance to give back’

A woman who suffered multiple strokes is preparing to take part in a popular running festival to raise funds and awareness. Deborah Lazarenko will hit More

Surfer stars in his first world tour event in almost four years

Julian Wilson's incredible run from the trial to the title has fallen just short with the Australian surfing veteran beaten in an epic final More

Sunshine Coast’s Ashlee Unie hopes she and new recruit Kate Shimmin can provide the Lightning roster with some highly dependable options in defence.

They were in the thick of the action during the team’s first pre-season game last week, a 50-48 loss to arch-rival Queensland Firebirds at Morayfield.

The Lightning were without regular defensive duo Karla Pretorius and Phumza Maweni, who are still in their native South Africa awaiting flights to Australia.

Unie and Shimmin appreciated valuable game time.

“It was the first time I’ve played with Kate, so we were trying to figure out how each other moved. We’re building on that for future games,” Unie said.

“Kate and I really got the opportunity to develop our connection …(and we) are hoping to solidify our connection, so we have more options when they come back.”

Unie, 24, was elevated to the Lightning’s main squad for 2021 after previous stints as a training partner, while Shimmin, 29, joined the team during the off-season after previously playing at Adelaide Thunderbirds.

While neither is likely to take Pretorius’ place in the starting line-up, they could put pressure on Maweni for the goal keeping role and they want to be ready to come off the bench at any moment.

The Lightning were significantly under-strength against the Firebirds.

Attackers Cara Koenen (Australian Diamonds) and Steph Wood (knee) were also out of action.

“We felt their absence, but as a team we just had to blend together,” goal shooter Peace Proscovia said.

The Ugandan representative was the main go-to person at the front of the court, with training partners Binnian Hunt and Annabelle Lawrie also getting time around the ring.

“They (Hunt and Lawrie) performed well … and I think our connection with them worked well,” Proscovia said.

She’s trying to expand her skills for this year.

“My connection with the midcourt is something I’m really working on … then the rest of the things will fall in place.”

The Super Netball season is due to start on May 1.

 

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share