Steph Reid returns to Frankston Blues for homecoming

Frankston Blues junior, now WNBL superstar Steph Reid is set to make a fairy-tale homecoming to her roots for the NBL1 South 2024 season.

Having first donned the senior Blues jersey in 2019 during the inaugural NBL1 season, Reid made an indelible mark by not only representing her home club but also recording the first 50-point game in NBL1 history. Her journey led her to the Townsville, where she spent the last three seasons, achieving remarkable success, including winning the NBL1 North championship and Finals MVP in 2022 and claiming a coveted WNBL title with the Townsville Fire.

Reid, who was named in the Opals Olympic Qualifiers squad today, expressed her excitement about the homecoming. She cited the pull of family and a deep connection to the Frankston community as the driving forces behind her decision.

“To be honest, I just thought it was time to come home, and I miss my family, and this is somewhere that I've loved my whole life. I grew up playing here, and there's no better place for me to play,” Reid remarked.

The WNBL star spoke highly of the Frankston Blues coaching staff, especially head coach Dean Kinsman, expressing her eagerness to play under his leadership.

“I've heard really good things about Dean. Shannon [Seabohm] knows him. Our assistant coach knows him, and everyone's had really positive things to say. He just seems like someone that really wants the best for his players, and I'm really excited to play under,” she added.

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During her tenure with the Townsville Flames, Reid demonstrated her prowess on the court, averaging an impressive 20 points, six assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game. Her leadership guided the Flames to the NBL1 North Finals in the previous season.

As she prepares for the upcoming season with the Frankston Blues, Reid expressed her anticipation of playing in front of the home crowd and rekindling the comradeship with her former teammates.

“I can't wait to play in front of the home crowd and hear all the banging of pots and pans. I've missed the all the junior Blues and I can't wait to play in front of my family again,” Reid exclaimed.

With the Olympic Qualifiers on the horizon, Reid is determined to continue working hard towards her goal of representing the Opals at the Olympics. She also has her eyes set on winning a WNBL championship with the Blues.

"Obviously, the Olympics are coming up. So I would love to be there, and that's been a goal since I was a junior Blues player. I'm definitely working hard towards that and hopefully in the next few months winning a WNBL championship in the process," Reid shared.

Frankston Blues supporters can look forward to witnessing their homegrown talent back in action and cheering on Reid as she aims for both personal and team success in the upcoming season.