Mueller College in Rothwell were the lucky recipients of this training opportunity with the former Australian Diamonds champion, as the first school in the Moreton Bay region to register a team.
Unitywater Executive Manager Strategic Engagement, Joshua Zugajev, said this years’ event would see 76 school netball teams compete for one of three trophies up for grabs – the ‘Lightning Cup’ (Championship), ‘Storm Cup’ (Boys) and Thunder Cup (Development – for those new to the sport or refining their skills).
“The Unitywater Lightning Cup encourages health, fun and participation and it is wonderful to see another fully subscribed event this year,” Mr Zugajev said.
“It is particularly pleasing to welcome back seven schools from Moreton Bay to join in to the day’s activities,” he said.
Sunshine Coast Lightning Captain, Steph Fretwell, said she was happy to return to Moreton Bay where she started her netball career at 12 years old, playing with the Pine Rivers Netball Association.
“In today’s training session we’ll be going over some core skills including how to contest first ball in defense, then putting those skills together with a team drill,” Ms Fretwell said.
“It’s always exciting to help young netballers develop key skills so they can get out there and give it their best shot and is especially rewarding to be able to give back in the Moreton Bay area where it all began for me,” she said.
The seven Moreton Bay schools registered to compete on the day are Mueller College, Southern Cross Catholic College, St Peters Catholic Primary School, Christ the Kind, Banksia Beach State School, Deception Bay North State School and St Eugene who were last years’ runners up.
Unitywater will be in attendance in the tournament’s ‘Strike Zone’ on the day and encourage those heading along to choose tap and reduce single-use plastic by bringing their reusable water bottles for free refills at their Water on Tap van.
