Melbourne University Lightning (MUL) have well and truly moved on from 2019, after finding themselves in the bottom five across Championship, Division One and 19 & Under divisions at the end of the season.
Former Melbourne Kestrels, Melbourne Vixens and Australian Fast5 player, Elissa Kent will lead MUL as Head Coach, and is eager to see the athletes hit the court tonight after a long 616 days have passed since VNL was played at the State Netball Centre.
“I’m so excited to see the team back out there playing and competing after a year without netball. We have a really exciting mix of new talent and experienced heads and I’m looking forward to seeing how it all combines,” Kent said.
“We were lucky to have a really engaged group during COVID-19, and part of that was due to our S&C team and our Division One captain Georgie Rodger who delivers pilates online. Coming out of COVID-19, the group has been really enthusiastic and open to learning.”
“At Lightning we really believe in our culture and supporting the person first before the netballer. We continue to celebrate everyone’s strengths and differences and we want people to bring their unique self into our environment.”
The Lightning have a star-studded line up set to shake up the VNL, with Shae Brown and Fiona Fowler signing on. Brown played alongside Kent in the Australian Fast5 2012 team and the Melbourne Kestrels, and has previous links to the Collingwood Magpies and West Coast Fever in the Super Netball. Fowler has an impressive netball resume, being a Scotland International netballer and former Melbourne Phoenix, Adelaide Thunderbirds and Victorian Fury player - adding great depth to the Championship side.
The open squads will be boosted by MUL veterans, Vixens Academy squad members and Victorian Fury athletes, Gabby Coffey, Maggie Caris, and Jordan Cransberg who is also currently a Vixens training squad member. Kelsie Rainbow will again hit the court in the Lightning colours, with long-time club members Claudia Mawson, Zoe Cransberg, Ramayer Gourley and Mikaela Vaughan keen to make their mark from the get-go.
Championship captain, Maddy Stewart, is feeling positive ahead of the season opener tonight, after weeks of preparation in the off season.
“I’m most looking forward to getting back on court with all the girls and showing what we have been developing over the past 18 months. We’ve missed the competitive nature of sport, and can’t wait to continue to challenge ourselves, challenge each other and reconnect with the netball world,” Stewart said.
“I’m so excited about the 2021 season with this team because we are such a tight knit, connected group. We have got an immense amount of talent within, and we love to push each other more each week.”
“There’s so much drive and determination within the group, and a lot of support from the whole club to facilitate success.”
Stewart will become the most capped Lightning player in the middle of the season, when she reaches an incredible milestone of 150 games. She has become a formidable leader of the club both on and off the court.
“I’ve been very lucky to have grown up at MUL over the last 10 years, and it excites me every year going back. We’ve built a great culture over the last few years, promoting the development of young people, being a family-oriented club and encouraged growth from within.
“It’s such a supportive club and a club, and one that fosters great relationships, supports everyone and pushes each other to drive for success both on and off the court.
Lightning will head to the State Netball Centre tonight to face Ariels in round 1 of the VNL.
