News

February 28, 2025 | IN Together Magazine | BY AVID | 4 min read

They say lightning doesn’t strike the same place twice, but for AVID and the Sunshine Coast Lightning, that couldn’t be further from the truth. 

2024 marks the eighth consecutive year for AVID as Premium Partners of the powerhouse Netball team; a partnership that has united a community through a love of sport, neighbourly spirit, and a sense of pride. 

Since the team’s inception back in 2016, AVID recognised an opportunity to bring women’s sport to the forefront—not only within its neighbouring flagship Queensland community of Harmony—but also throughout its network of communities, and in turn, the property industry as a whole. 

“AVID’s eight-year partnership with the Lighting is a testament to our ongoing commitment to the region and support of women’s sport – we are proud to be associated with a program that is all about empowering women and women’s sport in Australia,” said AVID Queensland’s Community Development Officer Sarah Tebbutt.

“Being with these women since day one has allowed us to watch on as they claimed two-premiership titles, at the same time Harmony was evolving from a brand-new development to being named Australia’s Best Master Planned community.” Sarah added. 

The partnership with AVID is one that makes sense to Storm Group Chief Executive Officer Justin Rodski. 

“It’s great to see AVID’s investment in the Sunshine Coast region extend to support for our team over the past eight years and counting,” Justin said.

“As one of our longest-standing partnerships, we are so grateful to AVID for their continued support of the club as we strive to achieve the best year on year.”

Off the court, the relationship has united the Harmony community, bringing avid fans and new followers together in support of local, homegrown talent.

“The Sunshine Coast Lightning partnership has shown us how a team can foster the spirit of a community and bring families together, an important pillar for both AVID and the Club that really underpins the natural alignment of this partnership,” Sarah explained. 

“Not only does this partnership create a core community of supporters for the Lightning, it also demonstrates healthy and active lifestyles, and provides a great opportunity to inspire a new generation of sporty kids at Harmony who have real life examples of talented athletes to aspire towards.”

AVID’s ongoing relationship with the team has even led to some wonderful additions to the Harmony community, with five players now calling the coastal address home. 

“Some of our youngest residents get a bit of a kick seeing some of the girls head out for training or walking around in their Lightning kits,” Sarah added.  

Thanks to the partnership, Harmony residents have enjoyed fortnightly ticket giveaway competitions to home games, and community Watch Parties in the park for the away games, where the greenspace becomes a sea of yellow and blue (the team’s official colours).

The relationship isn’t all about the games, with Lightning players door knocking along Harmony’s aptly named Lightning Street handing out tickets to a home game of resident’s choice, sharing their healthy recipes with the broader AVID network through the AVIDEngage series, and even bringing their furry friends down to Harmony’s annual Paws in the Park event. 

A highlight from last year was an International Women’s Day morning tea hosted by AVID for Harmony residents where Captain of the Lighting, Steph Fretwell, facilitated a Q&A session alongside Sarah. 

“It’s fantastic to have a longstanding partnership with an organisation that values the Sunshine Coast community as much as we do,” Sunshine Coast Lightning Captain Steph said. 

“AVID has been part of our Club for eight seasons now, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know the team at Harmony and the opportunities it’s provided me to get involved in the local community, like attending Harmony’s International Women’s Day morning tea last year.” 

“It’s also been great to see Harmony’s relationship with Lightning extend beyond the court where players have visited our community events and activations to connect with residents,” Sarah said.