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Sunshine Coast Lightning’s dramatic 62-59 win against West Coast Fever in the Super Netball final will produce benefits to the region well beyond the netball courts, according to Visit Sunshine Coast Chief Executive Simon Latchford.

Yesterday’s final - played at the Perth Arena - went down to the wire keeping both the record 13,700 crowd and a massive television audience in suspense to the very last minute.

Latchford explains “this was a tremendous victory for Lightning and the Sunshine Coast ‘brand’.

“Caitlin Bassett and Steph Wood were magnificent in attack for Lightning, managing to pare back a seven goal deficit and drive the team home to victory.

“Our congratulations go out to all the team, the coaches and support staff, because while this may have been a second consecutive success for Lightning, the resilience they showed in fighting back after a slow start to the season and then in the final make this victory just as memorable.

“The Lightning were the Sunshine Coast’s first national elite sports team and have been exemplary ambassadors for the region since they were formed in 2017.

“Their debut win last year was perfectly timed as it heralded in the 50th anniversary of the naming of the Sunshine Coast, and was the perfect way of getting the rest of Australia to stand up and take notice of us.

“Having such a high-profile, talented and outgoing national representative team undoubtedly helps the profile of the Sunshine Coast on the national stage. It highlights that we kick well above our weight and Lightning’s approach and attitude to the game is a wonderful endorsement of our region’s ‘naturally refreshing’ tagline.

“Their victory will encourage even more sporting teams to use the Sunshine Coast as a training base.

“We can’t wait for them to get back to the Sunshine Coast so that we can celebrate their victory on home ground.”

Image: Sunshine Coast Lightning in action at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

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