Steph Fretwell Medal
Following her retirement in 2025, Sunshine Coast Lightning foundation player and first signing, Steph Fretwell holds a special place in club history.
In 2026, The Steph Fretwell Medal will be awarded to the Lightning player of the year, formerly the Player of the Year.
A joint winner in 2025 with Cara Koenen, Fretwell has won the award on three other occasions making her one of the most accomplished players across the first 10 years of the Lightning.
“I’m forever grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity in 2016 to come to the Sunshine Coast and be part of something brand new,” Fretwell said.
“To be bestowed the honour of having this award named after me is incredibly humbling.
“The club has given me so many amazing experiences and to have a legacy like this is something I would never have dreamed of.”
Fretwell has been a cornerstone of Sunshine Coast Lightning since becoming the Club’s first-ever signing in 2016, captaining the side since 2022 and leading with fierce competitiveness, exceptional skill and unwavering commitment to the game.
After two seasons with the NSW Swifts, nine seasons with Sunshine Coast Lightning, 157 elite games and two Premierships, Fretwell played her final Super Netball match in Round 14 against the Adelaide Thunderbirds, completing an incredible 11 seasons at the top level.
Known globally as one of the most dangerous goal attacks in the game, Fretwell made her Australian Diamonds debut in 2016.
Across 56 international appearances, she secured gold in every major tournament, including the Commonwealth Games, Netball World Cup, and Constellation Cup, earning praise for her lethal accuracy, creative playmaking, and outstanding leadership.
Her signature step-back shot remains one of the most iconic moves in world netball.
