The Sunshine Coast Lightning’s inaugural CEO, who helped the club to quick success, is set to step down after seven years at the helm.
Danielle Smith will end her long-term tenure with the Lightning, and the team’s owners the Melbourne Storm, at the end of the Super Netball season in July.
She has held various executive roles with the two Storm Group clubs during a 12-year tenure.
“My time with both Sunshine Coast Lightning and Melbourne Storm has provided me with incredible career opportunities that I am extremely grateful for, particularly when Storm put their faith in me as a first-time CEO to lead Lightning as a start-up club,” she said.
“There have been so many amazing highlights over the years, but I will always reflect on 2017 as one of the most special.
“Our passionate Lightning foundation board, players and staff put their heart and soul into building our great club, with an army of members, fans, sponsors, suppliers, volunteers and the wider community, all joining us on the journey with equal passion, to create a special team with a wonderful club culture.
“That year of course culminated in a premiership win for Lightning, followed by a Storm premiership a few months later.
“With more passionate people joining us over the years, we have continued to grow the club and achieve further success on and off the court, with community always at our core.
“I will depart Lightning and the Storm Group with a heavy heart.
“I will miss the daily connection to all the wonderful people in and around our club and thank them all enormously.
“I feel that the timing is right, the club is now well established and successful, and I’m ready to embark on my next challenge.
“I am incredibly proud of our club and its people and will leave knowing that it is in a great place for the next person to make their mark and take it into the future.”
Ms Smith joined the Storm in 2011 as chief financial officer and was instrumental in the transition of ownership from News Ltd and helping to strengthen the financial position of the club in subsequent years.
She was appointed Storm’s chief operating officer in 2014, overseeing some of the club’s most significant investments and projects, including the Super Netball licence bid and establishment of the Lightning, where she became the inaugural chief executive officer in late 2016.
Under Ms Smith’s leadership, the Lightning won back-to-back premierships in their first two years, reached the finals in five straight seasons and developed a long list of players who have represented their country in many international netball competitions.
The club has been equally successful off the court with a blue-chip portfolio of sponsors, a solid membership and fan base, and sell-out matches at UniSC Arena since inception.
Ms Smith served as a Storm board director for eight years and its company secretary for 11 years.
She was inducted as a Storm life member in 2022 and was named QSport Sports Administrator of the Year in 2021.
More recently, she was appointed to the boards of Sport Inclusion Australia and Sunshine Coast 2032, the community-led initiative designed to maximise the opportunities for the Sunshine Coast in the lead up to, during and after the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Storm Group chairman Matt Tripp thanked Ms Smith for her enormous contribution to both clubs.
“Danielle has made an extraordinary contribution to both Storm and Lightning, particularly in driving some of our most important strategic and financial decisions,” he said.
“Danielle has always had the belief and passion to drive a successful culture for both Lightning and Storm, and without her drive the club would not be in the strong position it is today.
“Perhaps Danielle’s most significant legacy with the Storm Group will be the success of the Sunshine Coast Lightning, leading the establishment of the start-up team in the SSN with the team winning two premierships in the club’s inaugural years and being a regular finals contender. Off the court, she has achieved strong commercial growth and has laid foundations for Lightning’s long-term future.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson said Ms Smith had an “outstanding tenure” at the Lightning.
“Danielle was not only the inaugural CEO of the Sunshine Coast’s first national sporting team, but also instrumental in the most successful start-up sporting club in Australia,” he said.
“Under Danielle’s administration, the Lightning has also made a significant impact on our community, providing our region with national and international exposure, growing regional athlete pathways and promoting healthy living, particularly for young females.
“Danielle’s contributions to our community through the Sunshine Coast Lightning leaves a wonderful legacy and I wish her every success in her future endeavours.”
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