Lunniss’s surprise return to Australia
BASKETBALL: She’s one of the key recruits of the Mountaineers women’s program for 2022, with Toowoomba benefiting from an unexpected homecoming for Kirstyn Lunniss.
The classy centre spent time in America playing college basketball in South Carolina and Michigan, before a wonderful surprise brought her home.
“College was an incredible experience, but unfortunately it got cut short,” she said.
“I’m happy to be home, but came home with a special and unique situation.
“I had a child and didn’t know I was pregnant until then. I was playing basketball three days before.
“It’s been a little difficult trying to transition going back into basketball, but I’ve been getting support back in Toowoomba.
“I love it. I feel like I’ve found a new family up here.”
The 6’3” Australian is no stranger to the Sunshine State lifestyle having grown up in Logan and coming through the BQ junior representative programs.
It prompted coach Matt Cox to seek the services of Lunniss, who wants to be able to mentor a young core of players coming through.
“Matt reached out to me and asked if I was interested. It seemed like a really good program,” she said.
“I trained with them for a night and loved the environment and the people, and it’s where I wanted to play.
“I hope to bring a little bit of experience and help some of the younger girls find their confidence a bit more.
“Everyone has amazing ability, but some haven’t played at this level or have only had a couple of minutes here and there.
“Our game on the weekend, we were missing our main point guard (Michaella Allen-Gullion) and they were thrown into the deep end but really stepped up. That will come with confidence.”
Lunniss is a traditional big in the sense that she will lead her team through actions, and isn’t scared to bang bodies in the paint to get one up over her opponents.
“I’m definitely more of a physical player and that’s something you pick up on and learn overseas,” she said.
“Being as physical as I was overseas was an advantage for me.”
Despite an 0-3 start to the season, the Mountaineers get their chance to get on the board this weekend when hosting the Gold Coast Rollers, and Lunniss hopes it can be the fixture to kickstart their season.
“I believe we can make the finals and potentially even win the league,” she said.
“We just need to get together and really get that first win under our belts.
“It’s a bit of a mentality thing. Once we get that first win, we’ll be there and putting it all together.”
The Toowoomba Mountaineers women start proceedings at 1pm at the Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre, before the men try to end the unbeaten run of the Rollers at 3pm.