IT was a quiet day in Suncorp Super Netball signing land, with a fifth team announcing its final rostered player for 2022 as the signing blitz somewhat appears to have died down.
Sunshine Coast Lightning has completed its 10-player lineup, nabbing developing midcourter Annie Miller. The 20-year-old is a former GIANTS training partner and a current member of the Australian 21 and Under team, with Lightning head coach Kylee Byrne impressed by her resilience and drive to go one better.
“Annie is a real fierce competitor and has consistently been a top performer while rising through the junior netball ranks,” Byrne said. “I think she will really benefit from our Lightning program, working with our team of coaches and High Performance staff, as well as our nine other athletes.
“One thing I’m really looking forward to in our 2022 team is the injection of young talent – they are excited, eager to learn and want to put in the hard work to get those on court opportunities.
“These athletes, like Annie and Reilley Batcheldor, are the future of Lightning and I really believe will compliment our core group of leaders.“
Miller took the court for her maiden SSN appearance with the GIANTS during Round 2 of the SSN season, and said she is grateful to receive a senior contract for the first time.
“Lightning is continuously amongst the top teams in the league and I’m just grateful to Kylee and the team for this opportunity,” she said.
“Playing in my first SSN game earlier this year just consolidated in my mind that professional netball is my passion and I can’t wait to get into pre-season training and get started!”
With this exciting signing, Lightning joined Collingwood Magpies, GIANTS Netball, Melbourne Vixens and NSW Swifts with a completed squad ahead of 2022, with both Adelaide Thunderbirds and Queensland Firebirds trailing with eight contracts signed and West Coast Fever at the back of the pack with six.
West Coast Fever confirmed Sasha Glasgow will sign back on for two more seasons, with the goal shooter/attack proving to be a great asset for the side.
“I really fell in love with Perth as a whole and the girls are incredible,” Glasgow said. “I’ve made so many great connections here and the club has been my family. I’m so excited to make Perth more of a home for another two years.
“I’m looking forward to having Dan Ryan again as a coach, I really respect him as an individual and I’m excited to see what direction he can take the Fever.
“I’m also looking forward to growing again with the girls. 2021 made us stronger as a collective and as individuals and I believe we have another level of netball to strive toward in the coming year.
“I’m so thankful that the green army welcomed me with open arms in 2021, it constantly felt like such a privilege to play for them and play for a state that lives and breathes netball, so I can’t wait to get out at RAC again and play for them.”
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2021 SSN signing update: 27/9 | 2021 SSN signing update: 28/9
SSN signings week one: The story so far | SSN signings week two: Clubs announce fresh faces
Picture credit: Sunshine Coast Lightning
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