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PERENNIALLY treated like South Australian sport's red-headed step-child, prepare for an unprecedented golden new era for former WNBL pacesetter Adelaide Lightning, under new management but far more importantly, under new management which finally truly believes in its product. 

Since the club literally landed amid great fanfare at Light's Vision to the north of the city of Adelaide on February 11, 1993, it alternatively has been one of the league's greatest success stories and biggest fails, with the five-time championship-winning club saved from being defunct four times.

When first unveiled as a virtual state team taking over a WNBL role from combined sides Adelaide Comets and West Adelaide Bearcats - the survivors of the cull of the original club teams, North Adelaide Rockets, Noarlunga City Tigers and West Adelaide Bearcats whose foresight started the WNBL - it was a huge leap of faith.

There was no bigger leap of faith than that of Lightning squad guard Tamara Norris (nee Haase) who parachuted down to the official launch on that fateful February morning, where Vicki Daldy and Michelle Brogan awaited among buzzing sponsors and media to model the new club's state-coloured inaugural home/away outfits.Those were exciting times indeed but the stark truth is Lightning enjoyed championship successes in 1994-95-96-98 as part of a double-header programme the girls enjoyed at the Clipsal Powerhouse with their "big brother" Adelaide 36ers.

By the time their early matches reached a climax, the venue was full and roaring, largely how the team captured the state's imagination and drew a then record 7,100-fans of their own to their stand-alone 1995 Grand Final against Melbourne.

But none of that momentum was ever capitalised upon. Even though to the outside world Adelaide Lightning were part of the state's sporting fabric, within basketball the team and its needs largely were an afterthought.

Major sponsor options were directed toward the 36ers, the Lightning at times even appearing to be simply a necessary burden.

Various club managements approached sponsors with a "cap-in-hand, can you spare us a dime" mentality and were treated appropriately. If you don't believe in your product, how can you expect supporters to view you differently?

Constant budget cuts, run on the "smell of an oily rag" with minimal management support meant it was never surprising to find Adelaide Lightning teetering on the brink of ruin.

Here's the good news - actually, the great news. After 32 years of ineptitude, those dim, dark days are well and truly over.

The club's Season 2025-26 launch last night was the most exciting since we gathered under Colonel Light's statue three decades ago.

Finally ownership that believes in its product, recognises women's sport is where it's at, that women's basketball has incredible untapped potential and is prepared to not just barely cover costs but to turn Lightning back into a destination club.

The team's state-of-the-art training and recovery facilities at the SA Sports Institute are second-to-none among Australia's WNBL clubs.

Enthusiastic local entrepreneurs Mohan Koo, John Paul Drake, James Begley and Jeevan Koo have  come aboard as minority owners and Drakes have taken up naming rights sponsorship.

This is now a distinctly South Australian operation, although the WNBL remains the major owner after negotiating a deal with Premier Peter Malinauskas and his South Australian Government to save the Lightning ahead of the 2025-26 season.

But this investment from local owners is a hugely exciting development for the club, highlighting the league’s commitment to building a sustainable franchise with a bright and ambitious future.

Hallelujah! It is what has always been absent but now, finally backed by true believers, expect Adelaide to steadily rise back to prominence.

Despite coming back and beating defending champion Bendigo at the recent Townsville Tip-Off Pre-season tournament - Jasmin Fejo with the match-winning basket - on-court will be tough for rookie coach Kerryn Mitchell.

But with the enthusiasm and excitement generated at the launch, the future looks unbelievably positive and bright. Having been along for the entire journey, I confess this is the first time I can admit to feeling like a true believer.

Mitchell has Lightning championship winning players Cherie Cordoba (nee Hogg) and Marina Wood (nee Moffa) on her staff as lead assistant coach and manageress respectively, harkening back to Lightning's on-court glory days.

“This is an exciting new chapter for the team. To have such a passionate group of South Australians investing in Adelaide Lightning signals the importance of this team and women’s basketball in the state,” club CEO Melanie MacGillivray said.

It's been a long time between drinks for this once-great club but it won't be a further 17 years before we're toasting it again, as we last did in 2008. Roll on Season 2025-26.