MELBOURNE Vixens traded goal keepers over the past 24 hours, by replacing the departing Kadie-Ann Dehaney with West Coast Fever’s Olivia Lewis. The Vixens announced yesterday that Dehaney had informed them of obtaining a contract with another SSN club and the Sunshine Coast Lightning confirmed this morning that they had welcome Dehaney into the club, no doubt to cover for the departing Phumza Maweni.

“Kadie-Ann came to the Vixens as a shy 20-year-old, straight off the plane from Jamaica, and it’s been a pleasure to watch her grown on and off the court,” general manager Rebekah Webster said yesterday.

“She has taken on any challenge that has come her way and taken learnings from every training session and game across the last five years. “We wish her all the best at her new club, and thank her for her dedication to the Vixens in her time here.”

It will be a new-look defensive circle for the Lightning in 2022 and beyond, with Dehaney joining ex-Firebird Tara Hinchliffe – who is recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury – as well as Kate Shimmin in the defensive group. South African star Karla Pretorius is yet to re-sign with the club as of yet.

“What’s really impressed me this season is Kadie-Ann’s ability to show her worth every time she steps out on court and as a coaching team we’re excited to harness and develop that within the Lightning environment,” Lightning coach Kylee Byrne said. “She’s become an in demand defender this player signings period and we are thrilled to have her sign with Lightning and I can’t wait to see how she integrates with and complements our defensive lineup.”

Dehaney has impacted for the Vixens when coming off the bench, but has struggled for consistent court time alongside Diamonds defenders Jo Weston and Emily Mannix, a factor in Dehaney’s decision to head north.

“I am so excited and grateful for the opportunity to join this Lightning group, because I think it will give me more of an opportunity to grow my game,” Dehaney said. “Looking from the outside in, the group seems to have a really strong bond on and off the court, and being an international, that environment is something that really appeals to me.

“Readjusting to a new environment after living in Melbourne for so long will be a challenge but I am looking forward to some sunshine on the coast.”

Earlier this morning, Fever announced that Lewis would depart the club in search of extra opportunities having forged a five-year career in the green dress after beginning her career as a training partner back in 2017.

“Liv is always striving to improve herself as a player and a person and I know she will be a great asset to another club,” assistant coach Belinda Reynolds said on the club’s website. “I will certainly remain among her biggest fans, wherever she ends up playing in the future,”

It did not take long to find out where Lewis was headed, crossing back to the east coast to replace Dehaney at the Vixens. Lewis said she had loved her time at the Fever, but was looking for a new challenge.

“I’m really excited to be joining the Vixens in 2022 and continuing my netball at this level,” Lewis said. “What drew me to the Vixens is how driven they are to get back to the top of the competition. The club has built a really strong team heading into next year so I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do.

“I would like to thank West Coast Fever and Netball WA for the support they’ve given me across my pathway journey. This is a big move, but I’m ready for the challenge and look forward to coming over to Melbourne in the coming weeks.”

Changing focus from new faces to re-signings, the Adelaide Thunderbirds welcomed Elle McDonald back for another year, re-signing the versatile midcourter. Adelaide Thunderbirds high performance manager Pitre Bourdon said the club was excited to see what the former Vixen could do in her second season at the club.

“Elle is a very versatile athlete and brings great maturity and game smarts to the group,” Bourdon said. “We saw great signs from her this season and we look forward to seeing her grow again next year. “She had an interrupted pre-season in 2021 so we’re really excited for her to get a full pre-season behind her and come out firing in 2022.”

The other morning re-signing was that of talented GIANTS mid-courter Amy Parmenter. The former Rising Star winner signed on for a further two seasons with the orange and charcoal, providing some great stability in what has become an impressive midcourt.

“I bleed orange,” Parmenter said. “Each year I feel like we get a little bit better, a little closer to that trophy and 2021 has set us up really well.

“As much as the Grand Final experience broke our hearts, it will only do us good and fuel the fire for 2022.

“With some new and fresh faces, I’m excited to see how we can continue to grow as a club and challenge each other to become better on and off the court.”

Meanwhile a late afternoon re-signing saw local talent and current training partner, Kelly Singleton upgraded to the NSW Swifts for the 2022 season. The 23-year-old completed the Swifts 10-player roster for next season.

“I have known Kelly for a good while and to see how excited she was at getting this opportunity was a real joy,” Swifts coach Briony Akle said of Singleton’s upgrade. “Often in coaching you have to make tough calls but there are times when you see someone’s dreams come true and this was one of those moments.”

“This is honestly a childhood dream that’s become a reality for me,” Singleton said of the opportunity.

“Getting to take the court last year in a Swifts dress was special but to earn my first full-time contract is another level and I am so honoured and thankful to all the people, from junior netball to Super Netball, who’ve helped me get to this point. “I am having a few days to enjoy the news but then I’m turning my focus to next season and how I can play a role for the team and perform to my best.”

Singleton was not the only training partner elevated to the senior roster for 2022, with a duo of young talents getting their chance at the Queensland Firebirds. The Firebirds announced rising talents Ruby Bakewell-Doran and Mia Stower would step up to the main roster. Bakewell-Doran will provide support in the defensive end given the departure of Hinchliffe and Rudi Ellis, whilst Stower will step up to fill the shoes left by the departing Tippah Dwan.

Fresh off signing McDonald earlier in the day, the Thunderbirds announced they would reveal another re-signing at the club’s awards night, and they did so in 2021 captain, Hannah Petty.

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2021 SSN signing update: 23/9 | 2021 SSN signing update: 22/9 | 2021 SSN signing update: 21/9 | 2021 SSN signing update: 20/9

2021 SSN signings: Week one

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Picture credit: Graham Denholm