Lightning's first season draw revealed
Sunshine Coast Lightning fans can start making plans for their team's inaugural season after the 2017 draw for the newly formed Suncorp Super Netball was released today.
Sunshine Coast Lightning fans can start making plans for their team's inaugural season after the 2017 draw for the newly formed Suncorp Super Netball was released today.
The Lightning will kick off their campaign with a blockbuster Queensland derby against the ANZ Championship reigning premiers the Firebirds on February 18 at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
The team will then host its first ever home game against the Melbourne Vixens the following week, in a marquee clash that will see Geva Mentor and Kelsey Browne take on their former teammates.
The Lightning will play five home games at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) Sports Stadium. These home games will be played on Friday and Saturday nights as well as Sunday afternoons - no Saturday afternoon games have been scheduled to avoid any clash with local netball competitions.
Sunshine Coast Lightning will also feature in four double-headers, a new concept for netball that will see two games played on the same night, at the same venue.
The first two double-headers will be held at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Rounds 5 and 9 before the Lightning head to Melbourne to take on the Magpies at Hisense Arena in Round 11 before ending the season against the Giants at Qudos Bank Arena.
CEO Danielle Smith said the draw presented an exciting opportunity for the Lightning to make their mark in 2017 and for the Sunshine Coast community to get behind the team.
“You could not ask for a better game to kick off the season than an all-Queensland derby against the Firebirds,” Smith said.
“To also have five games at USC with a good mix of different timeslots and eight games broadcast on free to air is fantastic for our fans and the region.
“The USC Sports Stadium is currently undergoing significant renovation works, including the installation of retractable seating and a new netball court.
"It will be an exciting moment when the Sunshine Coast Lightning take the court for the very first time next February.”
Sunshine Coast Lightning memberships and ticketing details will be outlined in mid to late November. Fans are encouraged to sign-up here to receive all the latest information.
| Rd | Date | Local Time | Match | Venue |
| 1 | Sat, Feb 18 | 7.45pm | Queensland Firebirds v Sunshine Coast Lightning | Brisbane Entertainment Centre (BEC) |
| 2 | Sun, Feb 26 | 12.00pm | Sunshine Coast Lightning v Melbourne Vixens | University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) Sports Stadium |
| 3 | Sun, Mar 5 | 12.30pm | Adelaide Thunderbirds v Sunshine Coast Lightning | Titanium Arena |
| 4 | Sat, Mar 11 | 7.45pm | Sunshine Coast Lightning v Giants Netball | USC Sports Stadium |
| 5 | Sat, Mar 18 | 7.45pm | Sunshine Coast Lightning v Magpies Netball | BEC |
| 6 | Fri, Mar 24 | 6.30pm | West Coast Fever v Sunshine Coast Lightning | HBF Stadium |
| 7 | Sun, Apr 2 | 1.00pm | Sunshine Coast Lightning v Queensland Firebirds | USC Sports Stadium |
| 8 | Sun, Apr 9 | 1.00pm | NSW Swifts v Sunshine Coast Lightning | Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre |
| 9 | Sat, Apr 22 | 7.00pm | Sunshine Coast Lightning v Adelaide Thunderbirds | BEC |
| 10 | Fri, Apr 28 | 7.30pm | Melbourne Vixens v Sunshine Coast Lightning | Margaret Court Arena |
| 11 | Sat, May 6 | 8.45pm | Magpies Netball v Sunshine Coast Lightning | Hisense Arena |
| 12 | Fri, May 12 | 7.30pm | Sunshine Coast Lightning v West Coast Fever | USC Sports Stadium |
| 13 | Sat, May 20 | 7.00pm | Sunshine Coast Lightning v NSW Swifts | USC Sports Stadium |
| 14 | Sat, May 27 | 7.00pm | Giants Netball v Sunshine Coast Lightning | Qudos Bank Arena |