Queensland Firebirds

Queensland Firebirds
Founded1997
Based inBrisbane
RegionsQueensland
Home venueQueensland State Netball Centre
Head coachRebecca Bulley
CaptainKim Ravaillion
Vice-captainLara Dunkley
Premierships3 (2011, 2015, 2016)[1]
LeagueSuncorp Super Netball
ANZ Championship
Commonwealth Bank Trophy
2023 placing7th
Websitewww.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.

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
Season Position Won Drawn Lost
1997[2] 1st 14 0 0
1998[2] 1st 14 0 0
1999[3] 1st 14 0 0
2000[3] 1st 14 0 0
2001[4] 1st 14 0 0
2002[4] 1st 14 0 0
2003[5] 1st 14 0 0
2004[5][16][17] 1st 14 0 0
2005[6][16][18] 1st 14 0 0
2006[6] 1st 14 0 0
2007[7] 1st 14 0 0

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
Season Position Won Drawn Lost
2008[19][30] 1st 13 0 0
2009[31] 1st 13 0 0
2010[32] 1st 13 0 0
2011[33][34][35] 1st 13 0 0
2012[36] 1st 13 0 0
2013 1st 13 0 0
2014[37] 1st 13 0 0
2015[38] 1st 13 0 0
2016[20] 1st 13 0 0

  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
Season Position Won Drawn Lost
2017[40] 1st 14 0 0
2018[41] 1st 14 0 0
2019[42] 1st 14 0 0
2020 1st 14 0 0
2021 1st 14 0 0
2022[43] 1st 14 0 0

Grand finals

ANZ Championship
Season Winners Score Runners Up Venue
2011[34][44][45] Queensland Firebirds 57–44 Northern Mystics Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
2013[46][47] Adelaide Thunderbirds 50–52 Queensland Firebirds Adelaide Entertainment Centre
2014[37][48] Melbourne Vixens 53–55 Queensland Firebirds Hisense Arena
2015[38][49][50] Queensland Firebirds 57–56 New South Wales Swifts Brisbane Entertainment Centre
2016[20][25][51] Queensland Firebirds 69–67 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
Players Coaching staff
Nat. Name Position(s) DoB Height
Uganda Mary Cholhok Nuba GS 3 January 1997 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in)
Australia Ruby Bakewell-Doran GD, WD, GK 21 January 1999 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Australia Lara Dunkley C, WA, WD 31 May 1995 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Australia Isabelle Shearer GK, GD –
Australia Macy Gardner C, WA, WD 7 June 2000 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
England Imogen Allison C, WD, 24 April 1998 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Tonga Hulita Veve WD, C –
Australia Tippah Dwan GA, WA, GS 30 October 1999 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Australia Ash Barnett GK, GD 16 November 2002 –
Australia Emily Moore GA, GS 7 March 1997 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Head coach
Assistant coach
  • Australia


Notes
  • (c) – Captain
  • (cc) – Co-captain
  • (vc) – Vice-captain
  • Injured or on maternity leave – Injury / maternity leave
  • (TRP) – Temporary Replacement Player
Player profiles: Team website Last updated: 5 October 2024

Internationals

 Australia
 Australia Fast5
 England
 Jamaica
 New Zealand
 South Africa
 Fiji
 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

Coach Years
Patti Farrell 1997–1999
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

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

Queensland Sapphires

Main article: Queensland Sapphires

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

Premierships

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Queensland Firebirds.

References

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