Improvement across the board in the Suncorp Super Netball league in recent seasons has Head Coach Kylee Byrne closely inspecting what the Sunshine Coast Lightning style of play will look like in 2022.
The commitment from Lightning and its competitors to push the envelope across sport science, conditioning and game strategy has seen different priorities and demands on the athletes from when the league commenced in 2017.
“We had a real chance to sit down at the end of this season and have a look at what netball is at this level,” Byrne said.
“I think it’s really evolved and changed in the last few years.”
One key improvement Byrne is looking for from her team is to produce a real clinical style of play, even under pressure.
“The game is so much more skilful, and the errors are down from five years ago when we entered the competition,” she said.
“So, the style that we play will have to be clean and precise netball.”
A defensive lineup that is equally adept at shutting down the opposition as they are in winning ball is also a focus for Byrne.
With Tara Hinchliffe and Kadie-Anne Dehaney joining Karla Pretorius and Kate Shimmin, however, Byrne believes they have the right personnel in place to be highly competitive.
“Defensively you have to go looking for those intercepts that won’t come too easily for you – but I think we’ve put the defensive end together that can do that,” she said.
The Suncorp Super Netball season is slated to commence on Saturday 26 March 2022.
