Queensland Firebirds

Queensland Firebirds
Franchise information
Years active 1997–present
Based in Brisbane, Australia
Region Queensland
Main venue Brisbane Convention Centre
Gold Coast Convention Centre
Main sponsor The Coffee Club
Head coach Roselee Jencke
Asst coach Jenny Brazel
Captain Laura Geitz
Website www.firebirds.net.au
ANZ Championship
Titles won 2
Best finish 1st (2011, 2015)
2015 finish Champions
Team colours

The Queensland Firebirds are an Australian netball team based in Brisbane that competes in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. The Firebirds were formed as one of the foundation teams of the Commonwealth Bank Trophy (CBT), previously the premier netball league in Australia, which was contested from 1997–2007. After the retirement of the CBT, the Firebirds were one of five Australian franchises to transfer to the ANZ Championship.

The Firebirds are currently coached by Roselee Jencke, who was appointed in 2010 replacing Vicki Wilson, and are captained by defender Laura Geitz. When the Firebirds were playing in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy the team was based at the Chandler Arena. Home games in the ANZ Championship are usually played at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre; games have also been held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. The team colours are purple, white and orange.

History

The Queensland Firebirds are one of the founding teams of the Commonwealth Bank Trophy, which they played their first season in 1997. The league ran from 1997–2007. In their first nine years of the league, Queensland finished no higher than sixth place. For the 2006 season, former Firebirds player Vicki Wilson was appointed as heach coach for the team. Her appointment saw a sudden improvement in the team's standing in the league, with the Firebirds finishing 4th during Wilson's inaugural coaching year, and 5th in 2007.[1]

After 2007, the Commonwealth Bank Trophy was retired and replaced by a new trans-Tasman netball league, the ANZ Championship. The Firebirds were one of five Australian franchises to join the new league. For the new competition, the Firebirds changed their strip from maroon to purple and orange. They also secured the signing of rising Jamaican shooting star Romelda Aiken.[2] In their three years competing in the ANZ Championship, the Firebirds have finished fifth, narrowly missing out on the finals on each occasion. Wilson was replaced after the 2009 season by Roselee Jencke.[3]

During the 2011 ANZ Championship Season, the Queensland Firebirds went through the regular season undefeated, with 13 wins. Winning their Major Semi Final against the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic, the Firebirds became the first team to win 14 games straight. Having won this game, the Firebirds went straight through to the 2011 ANZ Championship Grand Final to play the Northern Mystics. The Queensland Firebirds again prevailed, becoming the first ANZ Championship side to not drop a game in the course of the regular season and the finals series.

Players

2016 Players

2016 Queensland Firebirds roster
Players Coaching staff
Nat. Name Position(s) DoB Height
Jamaica Romelda Aiken GS 09-11-1988 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
Australia Beryl Friday GS, GA 01-09-1994 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Australia Gretel Tippett GA, WA, GS 03-07-1993 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Australia Chelsea Lemke GA, GS 28-11-1994 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Australia Caitlyn Nevins WA, C 01-06-1987 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Australia Kimberley Ravaillion C, WA, WD 26-07-1993 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Australia Mahalia Cassidy C, WA 09-10-1995 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Australia Gabi Simpson WD, C, GD 17-10-1992 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Australia Hulita Haukinima WD, C 14-11-1995 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Australia Clare McMeniman GD, WD 11-07-1985 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Australia Laura Geitz (c) GK, GD 04-11-1987 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Australia Laura Clemesha GK, GD 21-01-1992 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Head coach
  • Australia Roselee Jencke
Assistant coach
  • Australia Jenny Brazel

Manager: Nannette Rigoni
Physiotherapist: Mark Stokes
Strength and conditioning: Brynley Abad

Notes
  • (c) – Captain
  • (cc) – Co-captain
  • (vc) – Vice-captain
  • – Injury / maternity leave
  • (TRP) – Temporary Replacement Player
Player profiles: Team website • ANZC website Last updated: 28 February 2016
Keirra Trompf in action for the Queensland Firebirds

Notable former players

Kelly-ann Mackenzie

Competitive record

Commonwealth Bank Trophy

ANZ Championship

Australian Conference

References

  1. ↑ "Mission Queensland Firebirds history". Retrieved 2010-11-13.
  2. ↑ Stannard, Damien (2008-01-26). "Jamaican fills tall order". The Courier Mail. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
  3. ↑ Morton, Jim (2009-08-07). "Netball legend Wilson axed by Firebirds". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 2009-08-11.

External links

Sporting positions
Preceded by
Adelaide Thunderbirds		 ANZ Championship Winners
2011 		Succeeded by
Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic
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