Where the season was launched, it came full circle — the South Australian Sports Institute Headquarters at Mile End set the stage for the Adelaide Lightning’s 2025/26 Awards Night. Hosted by Ali Clarke, it was a celebration of a season that almost wasn’t, shared with the people who made it happen both on and off the court.
The evening opened with reflections from Lightning CEO Melanie MacGillivray and CEO of the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing, Kylie Taylor, acknowledging the resilience, partnerships, and collective belief that shaped the season. The team’s WNBL award nominees and finalists were then recognised before the night moved into the announcement of the Adelaide Lightning team awards.
WNBL Award Recognition included:
- Coach of the Year Nominee — Aja Parham-Ammar
- Community Award Nominee — Tayla Brazel
- Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year Finalist — Steph Talbot
- Betty Watson Breakout Player of the Year Finalists — Tayla Brazel & Dallas Loughridge
- MVP Suzy Batkovic Medal Finalists — Steph Talbot and Dallas Loughridge
- WNBL Betty Watson Breakout Player of the Year Winner — Dallas Loughridge
Attention then turned to the Adelaide Lightning team awards, celebrating the contributions, leadership, and performances that defined the season:
Player’s Player Award - Ashlee Strawbridge (presented by Kylie Taylor, Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing CEO)
The Players’ Player Award is especially meaningful because it comes from within the team. It recognises the person whose commitment, attitude, and character earn the genuine respect of their teammates — not just for what they do on the court, but for who they are every day.
Ashlee brings consistency, positivity, and quiet leadership that lifts those around her. She shows up for her teammates, supports the group through every high and low, and represents the club with humility and pride.
Her impact off the court is deeply felt — in the culture she helps build, the connections she fosters, and the standards she sets simply by the way she carries herself. She makes people feel valued, supported, and part of something bigger.
Defensive Player of the Year - Stephanie Talbot (presented by Victoria Denholm, WNBL Co-Owner and Director)
The Defensive Player of the Year Award recognises the athlete who has made the greatest defensive impact across the season — consistently disrupting opposition play, applying pressure, and setting the tone on the defensive end. Selected by the coaching team, it reflects outstanding effort, awareness, resilience, and intensity across the year.
Steph’s defensive presence has been a cornerstone for Adelaide. Her work rate, ability to read the game, create pressure, and deliver in key moments have consistently lifted the team. She leads through action and sets standards when it matters most.
Recognised league-wide as a WNBL Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year nominee, Steph finished the season with 164 rebounds — 145 on the defensive end, along with 18 blocks and 45 steals, numbers that highlight her consistency, awareness, and impact.
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Most Improved Player - Ashlee Strawbridge (presented by Mohan Koo, Adelaide Lightning Co-Owner)
The Most Improved Player Award celebrates the athlete who has shown significant development across the season — in performance, confidence, and overall impact. Selected by the coaching team, it recognises growth in skill level, commitment to development, and the willingness to learn, adapt, and embrace feedback.
Just two years ago, Ash thought her basketball journey might be coming to an end. After rediscovering her love for the game here in Adelaide with the West Adelaide Bearcats, she’s since written a remarkable new chapter — earning her international debut with the Tall Ferns and following it with her WNBL debut this season.
It’s a story of resilience, renewed belief, and the power of persistence — and one that makes her growth this season even more special.
Coaches Award - Sania Feagin (presented by Head Coach Aja Parham-Ammar)
The Coaches’ Award recognises the player who consistently demonstrates professionalism, coachability, competitive standards, and a true team-first mindset. Selected by the coaching team, it reflects commitment to preparation, resilience under pressure, and a positive contribution to team culture — with impact measured by values, not just statistics.
In less than 12 months, Sania has gone from the NCAA National Championship Game to the WNBA Draft, through LA Sparks Training Camp, into a WNBA season, and now to the Adelaide Lightning — embracing every step with professionalism, resilience, and a genuine team-first mindset.
Her defensive effort, preparation standards, and role as our WNBL Pride Round Ambassador have made a strong impact both on and off the court.
Rachael Sporn Award - Dallas Loughridge (presented by Rachael Sporn)
The Rachael Sporn Award is a special honour — selected by the coaching group and presented by Adelaide Lightning legend Rachael Sporn — recognising a young player who reflects the values that defined her career: work ethic, coachability, resilience, and a genuine commitment to team and club. It celebrates not just potential, but character, growth, and the future of the Lightning.
Dallas has embraced every opportunity with humility, determination, and a true team-first spirit. She works tirelessly, supports those around her, and continues to grow with maturity beyond her years. Her commitment to improvement, her connection to the group, and the pride she shows in representing this club make her an exciting part of the Lightning’s future.
Most Valuable Player - Stephanie Talbot (presented by JP Drake on behalf of Drakes Supermarkets)
The Most Valuable Player Award recognises the athlete who has delivered the most significant overall contribution to the team across the season — through consistent high-level performance, impact at both ends, leadership, and reliability in big moments. This award is selected by the coaching team.
Steph’s influence has been felt in every facet of the game. During uncertain and challenging times, she continued to challenge not only herself, but the team — truly leading from the front. She sets standards through action, lifts those around her, and leads with professionalism, accountability, and pride.
Adding to an outstanding season, Steph has been selected in the Australian Opals squad for the upcoming FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament in Istanbul, with her sights firmly set on the 2026 World Cup in Berlin.
A notable moment of the evening was the recognition of integral volunteer David McKenzie, acknowledging his continued commitment, reliability, and the valuable contribution he makes to the delivery of Lightning game days.
The intimate group of guests — all now part of the new Lightning family — also heard from ownership group members Mohan Koo and JP Drake, who expressed their gratitude to the team and everyone who bought into the journey this season. They reflected on the resilience, belief, and collective effort that underpinned the year, while sharing genuine excitement about what lies ahead and the strong foundations now in place for the club’s next chapter.
Together, the evening honoured not just performances on the court, but the people, commitment, resilience, and shared belief that carried the Lightning through a season remembered for far more than results alone — a season built on connection, courage, and the promise of what’s still to come.
Adelaide Lighting 2025/26 Season Sponsors
Government of South Australia
South Australian Sports Institute (SASI)
Drakes Supermarkets
THINK! Road Safety
Basketball South Australia
Stillwell Ford
Urban Rest
Dicolor
Turkey Flat Vineyards
Lares Homes
Sports College South Australia
Health Partners
Powerade
Minor Hotels
Bird Law
Bluprint
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