USC Thunder is a brand new club preparing to debut in Queensland Netball’s 2019 Sapphire Series. Based at the University of the Sunshine Coast’s High Performance Sports Precinct, USC Thunder is providing a valuable step in the pathway between grassroots netballers and Sunshine Coast Lightning, the two-time Suncorp Super Netball champions.

Coached by Garry Pashen, USC Thunder will debut in the Sapphire Series in June, competing against six clubs from across Queensland. Matches will be played at the expanded USC Stadium in Sippy Downs and the new Queensland State Netball Centre in Brisbane.

The Sapphire Series is a semi-professional tournament run by Netball Queensland to give players, coaches and umpires a platform to impress for spots on the rosters of Australian Netball League and Suncorp Super Netball squads. USC Thunder will also boost the development of netball in the region by hosting a team in the second-tier Ruby Series, which showcases the best of the state’s emerging talent. A USC Netball Academy is also planned to open in 2019.

USC Thunder is supported by netball clubs from the Sunshine Coast to Caboolture in the south, through Gympie, Bundaberg and Rockhampton in the north, and as far west as Longreach. The wide-ranging catchment ensures USC Thunder will attract the best talent from across the region.

Make sure you follow this page for regular updates on USC Thunder’s signings, matches, merchandise, community days, and plans for the future.