Queensland Firebirds

Last updated

Queensland Firebirds
Queensland Firebirds Logo.svg
Founded 1997
Based in Brisbane
Regions Queensland
Home venue Queensland State Netball Centre
Head coach Rebecca Bulley
Captain Kim Ravaillion
Vice-captainLara Dunkley
Premierships3 (2011, 2015, 2016) [1]
League Suncorp Super Netball
ANZ Championship
Commonwealth Bank Trophy
2023 placing7th
Website www.firebirds.net.au

Queensland Firebirds are an Australian professional netball team based in Brisbane, Queensland. Since 2017 they have played in Suncorp Super Netball. Between 2008 and 2016, they played in the ANZ Championship and between 1997 and 2007, they played in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy. Firebirds were the most successful team during the ANZ Championship era, playing in five grand finals and winning three premierships, in 2011, 2015 and 2016. They were the only team to win back to back ANZ Championship titles.

Contents

History

Commonwealth Bank Trophy

Between 1997 and 2007, Queensland Firebirds represented Netball Queensland in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy league. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] Together with Adelaide Ravens, Adelaide Thunderbirds, Melbourne Kestrels, Melbourne Phoenix, Perth Orioles, Sydney Sandpipers and Sydney Swifts, Firebirds were one of the founding members of the league. [8] [9] Between 2005 and 2009, Vicki Wilson, a former Australia netball international, served as Firebirds head coach. [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] In 2006 Firebirds reached their first play-off series, losing 58–56 in the semi-finals to Melbourne Phoenix. [15]

Regular season statistics
SeasonPositionWonDrawnLost
1997 [2] 1st1400
1998 [2] 1st1400
1999 [3] 1st1400
2000 [3] 1st1400
2001 [4] 1st1400
2002 [4] 1st1400
2003 [5] 1st1400
2004 [5] [16] [17] 1st1400
2005 [6] [16] [18] 1st1400
2006 [6] 1st1400
2007 [7] 1st1400

ANZ Championship

Between 2008 and 2016, Firebirds played in the ANZ Championship. [19] [20] In 2009, Roselee Jencke was appointed head coach. [13] In 2011 Firebirds finished the season undefeated. This marked the beginning of a golden age for the team. Between 2011 and 2016, Jencke guided Firebirds to five grand finals and three premierships. They were the most successful team during the ANZ Championship era and the only team to win back to back titles. [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] Romelda Aiken, Laura Geitz and Clare McMeniman formed the nucleus of the Firebirds squad and featured in all three Championship winning squads. [25] [26] [27] [28] [29]

Regular season statistics
SeasonPositionWonDrawnLost
2008 [19] [30] 1st1300
2009 [31] 1st1300
2010 [32] 1st1300
2011 [33] [34] [35] 1st1300
2012 [36] 1st1300
2013 1st1300
2014 [37] 1st1300
2015 [38] 1st1300
2016 [20] 1st1300

  Premierships
  Runners Up

Suncorp Super Netball

Since 2017, Firebirds have played in Suncorp Super Netball. [1] They have only participated in one year of finals, being knocked out in the minor semi-final of 2018. [39]

Regular season statistics
SeasonPositionWonDrawnLost
2017 [40] 1st1400
2018 [41] 1st1400
2019 [42] 1st1400
2020 1st1400
2021 1st1400
2022 [43] 1st1400

Grand finals

ANZ Championship
SeasonWinnersScoreRunners UpVenue
2011 [34] [44] [45] Queensland Firebirds57–44 Northern Mystics Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
2013 [46] [47] Adelaide Thunderbirds 50–52Queensland Firebirds Adelaide Entertainment Centre
2014 [37] [48] Melbourne Vixens 53–55Queensland Firebirds Hisense Arena
2015 [38] [49] [50] Queensland Firebirds57–56 New South Wales Swifts Brisbane Entertainment Centre
2016 [20] [25] [51] Queensland Firebirds69–67 New South Wales Swifts Brisbane Entertainment Centre

Home venues

Firebirds have played their home games at various venues throughout Brisbane and Queensland. In February 2019, they moved into a new permanent home, the Queensland State Netball Centre. [52] [53]

Years
Chandler Arena [17] [18] [54] 1997–2008
Brisbane Entertainment Centre [55] [56] 2008–2018
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre [18] [36] 2005, 2008–2017
Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre [36] 2008–2017
Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre [57] 2018
Queensland State Netball Centre [52] [53] 2019–

Notable players

2025 squad

2025 Queensland Firebirds roster
PlayersCoaching staff
Nat.NamePosition(s)DoBHeight
Flag of Uganda.svg Mary Cholhok Nuba GS3 January 19972.01 m (6 ft 7 in)
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ruby Bakewell-Doran GD, WD, GK21 January 19991.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lara Dunkley C, WA, WD31 May 19951.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Isabelle Shearer GK, GD
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Macy Gardner C, WA, WD7 June 20001.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Flag of England.svg Imogen Allison C, WD,24 April 19981.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Flag of Tonga.svg Hulita Veve WD, C
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tippah Dwan GA, WA, GS30 October 19991.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ash BarnettGK, GD16 November 2002
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Emily Moore GA, GS7 March 19971.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Head coach
Assistant coach
  • Flag of Australia (converted).svg



Notes
  • (c) Captain
  • (cc) Co-captain
  • (vc) Vice-captain
  • Star of life gold.svg Injury / maternity leave
  • (TRP) Temporary Replacement Player
Player profiles: Team website Last updated: 5 October 2024

Internationals

Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Fast5
Flag of England.svg  England
Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji
Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg  Papua New Guinea

Captains

Years
Carla Dziwoki [16] 2005
Melanie McKenzie [16] 2005
Peta Stephens [58] [59] 2006–2009
Lauren Nourse [60] [61] 2010–2012
Laura Geitz [61] 2012–2016
Gabi Simpson [62] [63] 2017– 2021
Kim Ravaillion 2022–2024

Head coaches

CoachYears
Patti Farrell1997–1999
Sue Hawkins [64] 1999–2003
Brenda Scherian [10] [11] [16] 2004–2005
Vicki Wilson [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] 2005–2009
Roselee Jencke [13] [14] [21] [22] [23] [24] 2009–2020
Megan Anderson [65] [66] [67] 2020–2022
Rebecca Bulley [68] [69] 2022–2024

Main sponsors

SponsorsSeasons
Firestone [9] c. 1997–1999
Mission Foods [36] [38] [70] [71] 2010–2015
Lorna Jane [72] [55] 2016–

Queensland Sapphires

Queensland Sapphires are the reserve team of Queensland Firebirds. [73] [74]

Premierships

References

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