Sunshine Coast Lightning Enters New Era with Global Sports Management Ownership

Sunshine Coast Lightning will transition to new ownership from 1 October 2025, with Global Sports Management (GSM) confirmed as the club’s new licence holder.

Founded in 2016 through a partnership with the University of the Sunshine Coast, the Lightning quickly rose to prominence, securing back-to-back Suncorp Super Netball Premierships in 2017 and 2018, and reaching the finals in six of their nine seasons. The club has built a deep connection with the Sunshine Coast community, becoming one of the most recognised women’s sporting teams in the country.

Outgoing licence holder Melbourne Storm Group described the decision as a strategic shift to concentrate resources on rugby league expansion in both the men’s and women’s games.

Praising the members, fans, and partners for their role in establishing a highly respected and commercially successful program, Storm Group CEO, Justin Rodski, said: “There is a genuine passion for Lightning across the Sunshine Coast region.”

“We are incredibly proud of what has been achieved both on and off the court, and we are confident the club will continue to thrive under local leadership,” Rodski said.

Sharing how the acquisition reflects their commitment to women’s sport and community-first values, GSM co-owners, Justin Pascoe and Lee Hagipantelis, added:
“Local ownership matters—it ensures decisions are made with the Sunshine Coast at heart,” Hagipantelis said.

“We’re committed to building deeper connections with fans and partners, expanding pathways for local talent, and ensuring the Lightning remains a source of pride for the region,” he added.

Pascoe, on the other hand, expressed: “This is more than an investment—it’s a chance to contribute to a community I’ve been connected to my entire life. We want to honour the strong foundations laid by the Storm Group while driving the next phase of growth.”

Netball Australia CEO, Stacey West, welcomed GSM’s involvement, describing the Lightning as “a valuable asset” with “a strong foundation and new momentum.” She thanked Melbourne Storm for nearly a decade of partnership and praised GSM’s proven track record of revitalising professional sports franchises, including their recent acquisitions of the Ottawa BlackJacks (Canada) and Newcastle Jets (A-League).

With the backing of GSM, the Sunshine Coast Lightning are poised to strengthen their legacy in netball while embracing a new era of local ownership and global expertise.

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