The Sunshine Coast Lightning has appointed a new head coach, who was strongly endorsed by a club legend.
Belinda Reynolds has signed a two-year deal with the Super Netball team after the club parted ways with Kylee Byrne after a wooden spoon season.
Reynolds will bring a wealth of experience to the role, after being the assistant coach at West Coast Fever for the last five years, when she helped that team to a premiership and three grand finals.
She was also the coach of the Fever Reserves, which competed in the Australian National Championships this year.
Reynolds, who will relocate to the Sunshine Coast in the coming weeks, said she was looking forward to joining a club that aligns with her values.
“I am grateful to be given the privilege to coach the Sunshine Coast Lightning and lead the team into the 2023 season,” she said via a club press release. “I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to work with the talented Lightning players and look forward to working alongside the wider performance team.
“Sunshine Coast Lightning is a proud and successful club, who in partnership with the (owners) Storm Group, hold values that I feel inspired and connected to. “My family and I are looking forward to moving to the wonderful Sunshine Coast and sharing the journey with the loyal and passionate Lightning members and fans.”
The club underwent an intensive recruitment process, involving Lightning CEO Danielle Smith, Lightning and Melbourne Storm senior leadership staff, as well as specialist consultants, including Dame Noeline Taurua.
Reynolds was strongly endorsed by Taurua, who coached the Lightning to back-to-back premierships in the club’s first two years in 2017 and 2018.
“Belinda gave an excellent presentation that clearly demonstrated her strategic vision for Lightning and critical success factors based on performance, connection, and character,” Taurua said.
“She demonstrated a sound knowledge on planning, coaching and training/game environments, and has vast hands-on experience at SSN level. “From my knowledge and experience at Lightning, I felt that she would be an ideal fit for the team, club and community.”
Lightning CEO Danielle Smith also said Reynolds’ was an “excellent fit” for the club.
“Belinda brings excellent SSN experience as an assistant coach at the highly-successful West Coast Fever,” she said. “However, most importantly, we feel that Belinda will be an excellent fit for our club culture with her personable approach, focus on relationships and player wellbeing, and open communication style.
“She brings fantastic leadership qualities with a passionate and ambitious desire to succeed both on and off the court.” Reynolds is the club’s third head coach since its inception.
Taurua took them to premierships in 2017 and 2018, along with another grand final appearance in 2019.
Byrne, who was assistant for those three years, was then appointed coach and took the team to fifth place (among eight) in 2020, a minor semi-final appearance in 2021 and then the wooden spoon in 2022.
Reynolds will relocate to the Sunshine Coast in coming weeks.
Some of her first tasks will involve finalising the playing squad, including naming a temporary replacement player for the injured Reilley Batcheldor, and appointing her coaching support team.
The 2023 squad includes Steph Wood, Cara Koenen, Karla Pretorius, Laura Scherian, Kate Shimmin, Mahalia Cassidy, Kadie-Ann Dehaney, Tara Hinchliffe, Reilley Batcheldor (replacement to be named) and Annie Miller.
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