Lisa Alexander one-on-one: Belinda Reynolds’ Sunshine Coast Lightning recruitment masterplan and her new Diamonds’ influence

But while the Lightning has four Diamonds World Cup winners, including Steph Fretwell and Cara Koenen, there is no guarantee the signing coups will be successful.

In the latest interview of Lisa Alexander’s coaching series chats, the pair goes head-to-head on issues such as recruitment, learning from NRL master coach Craig Bellamy and the influence of Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich.

Inside Lightning recruitment technology

In her rookie coaching season last year, Reynolds dealt with one of the heaviest injury tolls when she lost Reilley Batcheldor, Tara Hinchliffe and Kate Walsh (relocation) before the first round.

It prompted a major review of operations and reassessment of roster depth, so while Watson and Bruce are the headline act to the new-look squad, there are several other changes, including the recruitment of two male training partners to challenge the women during match simulations.

For Reynolds, the changes are about more than just bouncing back to the finals.

“We analysed our gaps from last year and our shortfalls,” she said.

“We analysed that we need more defensive gains in the midcourt and back end.

“The depth of talent is so important in a list.

“Our big recruitment drive this year wasn’t just about success this year but that sustained success and we want to be a dynasty club and we have put that out there.”

Watch the excerpt here

Why Watson and Bruce joined the Lightning

Reynolds has a long history with Bruce that dates back to junior state teams as well as five seasons at the West Coast Fever, where Reynolds was an assistant coach to Dan Ryan.

So it was of little surprise when the Diamonds goalkeeper moved across the country.

However, Watson’s move from the Vixens to the Lightning shocked many but the reasons for both moves were identical.

“They’ve both got to a point in their career where they want to be challenged,” Reynolds said.

The duo’s input not just on the court but away from training and creating bonds with the younger players is going to be crucial in determining the star-studded Lightning’s success.

“They’ve both been dominant, consistent performers on court, which is what we need,” Reynolds said.

“(Bruce’s) wealth of experience and knowledge in that defensive end is so valuable to that team but it’s also so much effort she puts into your talent around her.

“Ashleigh Ervin has already gone to a new level with ‘Court’ around her.

“(Watson) has made great connections with girls off the court. She is really taking her time to connect with the young girls on and off the court as well.”

Watch the full excerpt here

Why Lightning should not be favourite

While the majority of the league considers the Lightning to be the early title favourite, Reynolds highlighted two key areas that didn’t necessarily mean the side deserved that tag.

“My PA (performance analyst) was doing the numbers,” she said.

“He was saying last year the Swifts had 400-plus international caps on their court, the Vixens had 280-plus caps and we have 240-plus caps this year in our team plus four very young athletes, three who are first time full-time contracts.

“It’s quite interesting to say we are earmarked as the No.1 team to beat.”

Reynolds conceded the Lightning’s best line-up had the potential to go all the way but the “robustness” and “consistency” of the team to go the entire season with its depth would be the challenge.

“It’s a great spine and I think the determining factor in how well we do is bringing that next level through,” she said.

“We do want success this year, not just to be in finals but win finals.

“Sunshine Coast Lightning has not won a final since 2019.

“I think it’s one point getting to the finals but then it’s attacking finals and winning finals.

“I do think we have the list to do it.”

Watch the full excerpt here

Analysing the game

Reynolds says when it comes to performance analysis, she operates with her “gut” during the game and uses very specific data during the week to prepare for an opposition.

“I don’t think so much about the numbers that get put in front of me that are results driven, I care about the how,” she said.

“I know my performance analyst is very good at giving me live grids in the game, where balls are landing, first and second phase. That is more the sort of data I look to go to.

“That is how we’re getting to goal or how the other team is getting to goal.

“She knows what I’m looking for, which is quite often the how and who. I rely on her for that.

“I am still a little bit more of a gut coach. I do have an awareness around stats and do use them in game but a lot of in-game stuff is what I’m feeling in there.

“In regards to review and scouting, I use the stats more in that regard.

“I like when my analyst gives us benchmarking – us versus the opposition.

“(We can) look at ways we can exploit their weaknesses and use our strengths.”

Watch the full excerpt here

Evolving as a coach

Reynolds was a rookie coach last season when she uprooted her husband and kids to move across the country from Perth to start a new life on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland in a highly pressured role at the Lightning.

On the home front, she couldn’t be more thankful of the support from her family, while internally, one leader stood out as a crucial sounding board to help her navigate the first year in the job.

“I was fortunate to have my leader in Steph Wood (Fretwell) who bought into my vision,” she said.

“I was open with her when I had shortfalls myself in that first year.

“She was such an experienced, well-balanced leader I could rely on in my first year.

“I was quite proud of what we achieved because there was a lot going on in the home front as well and I often get emotional when I talk about it.

“When I cast my eyes back over the last 12 months I sometimes think how did all that happen in that time and how did we get through it?

“Yes, I have evolved as a coach a lot by moving across the country. I needed this opportunity to find myself as a head coach.

“The very first time I came over here I thought ‘I’ve just go to be my authentic self, show who I am, be vulnerable, open up those relationships because they are so important to me’.”

Watch the full excerpt here

The role of Marinkovich

Reynolds served part of her coaching apprenticeship under Stacey Marinkovich at the Fever. Now that Marinkovich is heading up the Diamonds, Reynolds uses the national coach as an occasional sounding board but also a friend who she can connect with beyond netball chat.

“Her biggest learning for me was to be my authentic self,” Reynolds said.

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“Not trying to be someone else in the environment.

“You always get employed in a job because of the skill sets you hold, so making sure you always hold true to them and never be someone else.”

Watch the full discussion here