Sunshine Coast Lightning wins in first game at newly refurbished $9 million USC Stadium

The Sunshine Coast Lightning has won in its first fixture at the newly refurbished USC Stadium, beating Giants Netball 72-61 in their Suncorp Super Netball clash yesterday.

Built by local Sunshine Coast company, Evans Built, the redeveloped new stadium includes refurbished changing rooms, improved access for people with a disability, umpire rooms, a multi-purpose function room, public bathrooms, an upgraded audio-visual system and multi-purpose spaces for use by a range of sports such as basketball, volleyball, badminton and futsal.

Advising that the expansion of the USC Stadium is testament to the success of Lightning as a club and also to the thousands of Queenslanders and visitors to the Sunshine Coast who want to come and experience all that the venue and the sport had to offer.

Queensland Deputy Premier and Lightning patron Jackie Trad stated “this project shows that we are committing to not only backing women’s sport but also delivering better facilities in a growing region like the Sunshine Coast – these projects support the local economy and local jobs.

“As a patron it was also fantastic to see the result over the weekend with Lightning coach, Noeline Taura, securing her 100th National League win last night.”

Queensland Minister for Sport Mick de Brenni said he was proud to have such a strong partnership with Lightning, the USC and the Sunshine Coast Council, to help make this redevelopment happen.

Minister de Brenni stated “this is not just an investment in netball – from beginners to the elite level, but also an investment in the Sunshine Coast region itself - in its economy, through creating more jobs.

“It’s also an investment in equality in our State. Now, more than ever, young girls will have more strong, talented sportswomen to look up to.

“This stadium will now attract a bigger range of major sporting competitions, cultural and community events and it will draw in more netballers, supporters and spectators from across the country.”