Team Northumbria have fought off stiff competition from a string of WBBL rivals to retain the services of one of last season’s star performers.
Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee enjoyed a standout campaign as Sport Central’s backcourt general.
And the classy guard wasn’t short of head-turning offers during a summer when TN’s playoff winners found themselves in serious demand.
But Fong Lyew Quee committed her future to the Tynesiders ahead of last weekend’s pre-season trip to Belgium.
And she said: “In the end it was a tough decision. I’ve never really been in a position where people have been knocking on my door and I guess that was nice for a while.
“It’s always good to have options but I feel like what we achieved at Northumbria last season was only the start.
“And having won silverware with the club I want to see where we can go from here.
“I’m very comfortable with where I am and with my coach and the players.
“I’m part of something new and exciting and that’s hard to walk away from.”
TN playcaller Chris Bunten has lost veteran trio Ta’Yani Clark, Diana Voynova and Fiona O’Dwyer from the side that shocked Nottingham to lift the playoff title in front of 3,000 fans at London’s O2 Arena in May.
But the ambitious coach focused on keeping Fong Lyew Quee in the North East as he sought to retain a core of last season’s squad.
“Nic has emerged as a real leader within this group on and off the court,” he said. “She was outstanding last season and was one of the most consistent players in the league.
“It didn’t surprise me that a number of my fellow coaches mentioned her contribution towards the end of last season and I’m sure she still has her admirers.
“But Nic has bought into what I’m trying to do here from day one and I think she is as excited about the future as I am.”
Fong Lyew Quee admitted she has a renewed thirst for silverware following TN’s breakthrough season.
And she added: “In many ways we could have been even more successful. Winning the WBBL Championship was great but I want to win the Cup and the BUCS Championship too.
“That’s one of the reasons I’m staying out. I want to win more medals and I think this is the place to do it.”
Fong Lyew Quee will be expected to carry an even greater responsibility on her shoulders following the departure of co-captains Clark and Voynova.
And she added: “It will be tough to replace those players. We had a very strong team last year but the new team can be just as effective – albeit not the same.
“I’m confident in what we have. Everyone has been working really hard and that includes me.
“I loved last year. I enjoyed practice and I enjoyed working with our new strength and conditioning coach – everything just came together. But I can see it happening again.”
Fong Lyew Quee will again be joined on the TN roster by WBBL Championship playoff final MVP Abi Asoro and Belgian star Chloe Bully.
Both players made an instant impact during their first season under Bunten but both were keen to commit to another Sport Central campaign.
“If Abi starts the new season the way she finished the last then we’re already in great shape,” added Fong Lyew Quee.
“She’s an amazing player and I think there’s more to come from her. She’s put the work in this summer and I’m excited to see what she brings to this team when she’s 100% healthy.
“Chloe is someone who works incredibly hard. She already has one WBBL season under her belt and with that comes greater confidence.
“She will be better again. I expect more from her and I know she’ll deliver."
.jpg_62276aa9abc9d.png)
