It's been a welcome change for Kate Shimmin, set to take to the court for the first time in Lightning colours. Picture: @sc_lightning / Twitter
Kate Shimmin’s milestone match on Saturday night will be one of the most unique of the Suncorp Super Netball.
At the Adelaide Thunderbirds, she won two premierships and played 99 games, before making her way to a new club a bit further north.
Shimmin’s milestone 100th match will not be for the Thunderbirds, but will instead be her first for the Sunshine Coast Lightning.
She spoke about making it to the milestone and playing it for a completely new club.
“I actually didn’t think I’d get there,” Shimmin said.
“I can’t believe I have the opportunity to play for such an amazing club, and to be playing my 100th game at this club, I’m honoured.”
That 100th game will be against Collingwood Magpies, led once again by veteran Geva Mentor, and with the returning talent of Kelsey Browne and Ash Brazill in tow,
Shimmin is looking forward to a good match against quality opposition..
“I’m more excited than nervous to play against them, it’s going to be such a good game,” she said.
“Although Collingwood, they didn’t do too well last year, all teams have had a really hard pre-season, and every team is going to be hard, every round.
“So, we just have to be ready, and we can’t be complacent.”
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Lightning coach Kylee Byrne described Shimmin as ‘a breath of fresh air’, and Shimmin agrees.
She spoke about how a long stint, like the one she had at Adelaide, can be a bit draining.
“Being at the Thunderbirds for so long, you can kind of get into the same – not mundane, but a bit of Groundhog Day,” Shimmin said.
“Just being around new personalities, and the women in the team, they’re just the most amazing people off the court as well.
“I feel inspired to be better, on and off the court.”
Shimmin is impressed with all her new Lightning teammates, but there have been two who have stood out to her in particular.
“I think Cara Koenen has just come leaps and bounds,” she said.
“To watch her debut for the Diamonds earlier on in the year was just amazing. She just lifts the team on the court.
“And also playing, learning alongside Karla (Pretorius).
“She’s just amazing and the way she can read the game, I’ve only been with her for a few weeks but she just slots in so easily.”
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