The club then targeted Melburnian Kerryn Mitchell, who gave up other coaching jobs and left behind her three kids \u2014 with their full backing \u2014 to become head coach.<\/p>\n
“I had no players, it was daunting, but it was also somewhat kind of exciting,” Mitchell said during a break in training.<\/p>\n
“[You think], ‘who do I want on this roster?’ and you get to just go and target the exact players you want.<\/p>\n
“We went with a culture first \u2014 we needed those sort of people that were just going to get their hard hat on and get to work.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Adelaide Lightning head coach Kerryn Mitchell says it was daunting but exciting to fill a roster from scratch. (Supplied: Emma Hoppo)<\/p>\n
She ended up signing six South Australians, one Victorian, three New Zealanders and two American imports.<\/p>\n
“I believe the roster we have put together \u2014 players are just going to compete and so I think the fans, the South Australians are going to be able to come out and watch us, win or lose, and be proud we are representing them,” Mitchell said.<\/p>\n
One player she noticed at a game in Melbourne and then at open tryouts was local gun Jasmin Fejo, whom she described as a “super athlete”.<\/p>\n
“Really athletic and just doing things a little bit differently, and if we can really harness her individual brilliance she will do really great things,” Mitchell said.<\/p>\n
Fejo was on the Lightning roster six years ago, before becoming a mother took precedence.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
WNBL player Jasmin Fejo (right) joins a new-look Adelaide Lightning squad as it prepares for the 2025\/26 season. (ABC News: Justin Hewitson)<\/p>\n
She was scared the club would fold before the rescue plan was launched, but is now adapting back to WNBL level.<\/p>\n
“[It’s] really, really tough, it’s just really quick, but I like the style of playing,” Fejo said.<\/p>\n
“I mean, it’s a great vibe, all the girls are very energetic and it’s just a great culture which I love.”<\/p>\n
‘Athletes are your most important asset’<\/p>\n
The Adelaide Lightning was once a powerhouse of the WNBL and has a proud history.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Adelaide Lightning chief executive Melanie MacGillivray is working to make the WNBL club financially sound. (Justin Hewitson)<\/p>\n
The club’s record includes five championships that were won by players wearing the state’s colours of red, blue and yellow.<\/p>\n
But a new start meant an updated look that introduces plum, lavender and mandarin.<\/p>\n
“That’s very much a celebration of the landscape of South Australia, so we’re not just a club for Adelaide, we’re a club for South Australia,” MacGillivray explained.<\/p>\n
“[I] love these colours, it’s something fresh,” squad member Ruby Porter added.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Adelaide Lightning WNBL squad member Ruby Porter (left) says she loves the team’s new colours. (ABC News: Justin Hewitson)<\/p>\n
Porter said it was a case of “look good, feel good” \u2014 a message that also holds true of the club more broadly, with its new coach, new chief executive and new players.<\/p>\n
But they’re not the only things that are new at the Lightning.<\/p>\n
It was heavy financial losses that caused problems in the first place, and solving that is at the forefront of MacGillivray’s priorities.<\/p>\n