The South East Suns Under 19s head into the 2026 TNL season with momentum built through a demanding pre-season that has prioritised connection, fitness and belief alongside on-court development.
Captain Emily Cooper says preparation has been both challenging and encouraging. “So far, pre-season has been a very positive and productive experience for the team, with challenging yet achievable sessions,” she said. “There is already noticeable improvement across the team which is great to see.”
Vice-captain Chloe Fenton has seen that progress reflected in the group’s work rate. “Preseason is going great, the team is working really well together, we are pushing really hard to increase our fitness to become ready for the new season,” she said.
Preparation has required adaptability, with resurfacing works at the teams home stadium forcing the squad to train across multiple venues. Head coach Mia Bourke says the disruption has tested the group, but also strengthened it. “We’ve had to be creative and flexible,” she said. “All athletes are working hard and pushing their own fitness and skill level with each session.”
Despite the challenges, Mia believes the environment has brought the program closer together. “The vibe across both the 19s and the Opens is incredible,” she said. “I’ve never seen a TNL squad be so close. It makes you want to show up for one another.”
Building trust and connection has been a deliberate focus heading into the season. Culture and trust within a team is important to Bourke, who believes building those relationships off the court will have a large impact on the court.
The Suns’ 2026 squad features a blend of continuity and new opportunity, with four returning players from last season’s official team, two athletes who filled in during 2025 and four new faces entering the TNL environment. Emily says the mix has created a healthy balance of experience and fresh energy, alongside an evolved coaching structure that sees Mia Bourke step into the Under 19s head coach role with Marissa Brown as assistant.
Expectations for the season remain grounded but ambitious. “We want to see individual and team growth. We want to be more competitive,” Mia said. “As much as we’d all like to be a top four team, we know that this may take more than one season for us.”
That improvement, she says, starts with the basics. “We have to nail the basics, revisit them regularly, work on our structures, trust each other and take risks,” Mia said. “The players need to know they CAN do it.”
Emily says the group is embracing the challenge of the competition ahead. “We’re looking forward to playing all teams this season,” she said. “Even though they will be a challenge for us, we have a great chance of keeping all games competitive.”
Round one against the Cavs looms as an immediate test and a welcome opportunity to put pre-season work into action.
Off the court, the Suns continue to emphasise holistic player development, with a culture built on support, accountability and open feedback. Emily says the aim is to build confident, resilient athletes, while Mia reinforces that approach through honest communication and genuine care.
As the season approaches, the mood within the group is unmistakably positive. “The Suns Under 19s are excited beyond words heading into the season,” Emily said.
For Mia, the excitement lies in what this year could represent. “This is the year for them to redefine themselves,” she said, “how they compete and what they believe is possible.”
