Vicki Wilson - Firebird #7 (Captain - 1997-99)
What did it mean to captain the Firebirds?
“Being the inaugural Firebird Captain was an absolute honour. I’m a proud Queenslander and just love my sport so the opportunity to lead our team was not lost on me.”
What made the Firebirds special to you?
“We trained hard and pushed each other to be the best we could be. We knew we were representing Queensland and took great pride in our performance.”
What characteristics are crucial to being a Firebirds leader?
“To be the leader you need to have great relationships with your team-mates and management and demand high standards from everyone.”
Sharon Finnan-White - Firebird #17 (Captain - 2000-01)
What did it mean to captain the Firebirds?
"Captaining the Firebirds was an incredible honour and a responsibility I carried with great pride. As one of only three Aboriginal women to represent the Australian Diamonds, it meant leading not just for my team, but for my community. It was about creating visibility and showing our young First Nations athletes that they belong at the highest level of our game. That representation is powerful and continues to inspire the work we do through the First Nations Academy of Excellence (FNAE)."
What made the Firebirds special to you?
"The Firebirds were special because of the strong sense of connection, pride, and unity. It’s a club built on relationships and shared purpose, which aligns so closely with our values at FNAE, creating safe, supportive environments where athletes can grow in confidence, embrace their identity, and feel a true sense of belonging both on and off the court."
What characteristics are crucial to being a Firebirds leader?
"Leadership is about authenticity, accountability, and inspiring and lifting others. A Firebirds leader leads with integrity, builds strong connections, and understands the importance of giving back, not only to the community and supporters, but also to your teammates. A Firebirds leader creates an environment where everyone feels valued, empowered, and able to perform at their best."
Leanne Guthrie (nee Matthews) - Firebird #6 (Captain - 2002-2004)
What did it mean to captain the Firebirds?
"Captaining the Queensland Firebirds meant everything to me. I started as an eight-year-old at Southern Districts, just loving the game, and netball quickly became my passion. To grow from those early days into a leadership role at the highest level, and to have the career I did, was incredibly special and something I’ll always treasure."
What made the Firebirds special to you?
"The Firebirds were special because of the girls. Netball can be a tough game, especially when things are not going your way, so having a group around you who truly had your back made all the difference. We had plenty of great moments on court, but just as many off it. Training, travelling, rooming together, and the nights out after games all meant a lot. Those friendships are what have stayed with me.
What characteristics are crucial to being a Firebirds leader?
"Being a Firebirds leader starts with being genuine and setting a strong example through your work ethic and attitude. You cannot expect others to respect you or follow your lead if you are only half committed. It is also about building strong relationships with every individual player, because those relationships get tested, especially when the pressure is on during games."
Carla Dziwoki - Firebird #41 (Captain - 2005)
What did it mean to captain the Firebirds?
"It was such a privilege to captain the Firebirds something I’m incredibly proud of and still pinch myself that I was given this honour. I was young so thought it was important to lead by example and support my teammates however I could."
What made the Firebirds special to you?
"The Firebirds gave me some of my most valuable experiences and incredible memories. The club helped shape me both as an athlete and a person. It was a place that challenged me, developed me and connected me with lifelong friendships."
What characteristics are crucial to being a Firebirds leader?
"Authenticity, resilience and putting the team first. A Firebirds leader sets the standard, cares about the people around them and is willing to do the hard things when it matters."
Mel Groves (nee McKenzie) - Firebird #23 (Captain - 2005)
What did it mean to captain the Firebirds?
“My time as captain of the Firebirds was one of the most memorable and proudest times of my life. To have the responsibility of leading, at the time, the only female Queensland team in the comp, along with such a strong and passionate supporter base, meant a lot to me. I wanted to lead by example and ensure every player felt that same pride and drive to represent our state to the best of our ability.”
What made the Firebirds special to you?
“My seven years with the Firebirds gave me so many unforgettable memories, friendships, lessons, and opportunities that can never be replaced. Playing in the best netball competition in the world challenged me both physically and mentally, but for every minute of hard work, time, and effort I put in, I felt I received twice as much in return.”
What characteristics are crucial to being a Firebirds leader?
“I think being a leader is really about bringing people together, and that can be a challenge in a big group—but it’s also what makes it so rewarding. You’ve got to lead by example and be willing to dig deep and find that extra gear when it matters. For me, it always came back to pride—showing how much it means to wear the Firebirds dress and setting the tone for the standards you want as a group.
Peta Stephens - Firebird #14 (Captain - 2006-09)
What did it mean to captain the Firebirds?
"I came into the team as a very young and inexperienced netballer, so just being able to take the court for the Firebirds playing with and against so many legends I had admired for so long was a dream come true. I was lucky enough to stick around for quite a long time and I treasure all the experiences and memories from my 12 years with the club, but without a doubt having the honour to captain the team under (coach) Vicki Wilson, leading many future legends of the club was the highlight of my netball career."
What made the Firebirds special to you?
"The people. I had the privilege of being able to play alongside some amazing athletes and people - and feel so lucky to have made lifelong friends along the way. My entire journey in netball - both on the court and off - has been blessed with having so many wonderful people in the Firebirds family to experience the ups and downs with. I feel even more privileged to be able to play a role in creating similar positive environments and experiences for netballers of the future through my current work with Netball NT."
What characteristics are crucial to being a Firebirds leader?
"I think each leader brings their own strengths to a leadership role, and great teams allow each and every one of their team members to contribute to leading in the team environment in their own unique way. For me, leading was about being true to myself - being able to use my own strengths on and off court to create an environment where everyone felt valued and respected, and we could support and uplift each other to be our best."
Lauren Brown (nee Nourse) - Firebird #40 (Captain - 2010-2012)
What did it mean to captain the Firebirds?
“It was a very special time and something I never expected. It brought an added layer of pride and commitment, particularly seeing the Club move through challenging times to experience the success we did. I loved leading such a sensational group of people and living and breathing our values."
What made the Firebirds special to you?
“It’s very cliched but we really were a family! We spent a lot of time together, at netball but also away from the court and enjoyed each other’s company. We always had time for fun and were there for each other. The Club has given me many wonderful memories, lifelong friends, and taught me so much, for which I’ll always be grateful.”
What characteristics are crucial to being a Firebirds leader?
"Humility and empathy are everything to me as a leader. Building strong relationships, standards, open communication and everyone having a role to play was key to our success."
Laura Geitz - Firebird #56 (Captain - 2011, 2013-16)
What did it mean to captain the Firebirds?
"Captaining the Queensland Firebirds was something I never expected to happen but as a young girl dreamt about it. It became one of the greatest honours of my career. To be trusted by the coaches, staff, and playing group was incredibly special. It’s where my leadership journey truly began, and I feel very grateful they saw something in me and gave me that opportunity."
What made the Firebirds special to you?
"I grew up dreaming of playing for the Queensland Firebirds so to do it was incredibly special. It was more than a team—it was a family. Through the highs and lows, those shared moments are what made it unforgettable. The friendships I made there remain some of my closest connections to this day."
What characteristics are crucial to being a Firebirds leader?
"Leadership at the Queensland Firebirds starts with leading by example and respecting the legacy of those who went before you on and off the court. It’s about stepping up in pressure moments, embracing the challenge, and building on what’s come before you to take the club to an even better place than where you found it."
Gabi Simpson - Firebird #76 (Captain - 2017-2021)
What did it mean to captain the Firebirds?
"To lead a club that played such a big role in shaping the person and athlete I had become meant the world to me. To have the opportunity to shape the fabric of the Firebirds was pretty darn special."
What made the Firebirds special to you?
"Wearing the Firebirds dress always felt like the impossible was possible. Having moved to Queensland at 20, the Firebirds became my home and my people. A place where standards were high, and heart and passion were even higher. A place where different was celebrated and your x-factor was harnessed to change the game. The place where magic happened."
What characteristics are crucial to being a Firebirds leader?
"Aside from the desire to work hard, be brave and a helluva lot of heart, it's the understanding that this club is bigger than just the team on the court, it is shaped by past players, the community and fans around it and we have the ability to impact those people and the clubs direction everyday."
Kim Ravaillion - Firebird #75 (Captain - 2022-2024)
What did it mean to captain the Firebirds?
"It was an absolute privilege. I had some serious shoes to fill with the captains who led before me. To lead a team you love playing for so much meant the world. I wanted nothing more than to bring success back to the club. Whilst that wasn’t necessarily the case, to lead a club that I love and humans that I loved playing with - I wouldn’t change it for the world."
What made the Firebirds special to you?
"The players, the coaching staff, the team behind the team. It takes everyone to make it special and in my years where we won the premiership back-to-back BOY was it special and a genuine team effort."
What characteristics are crucial to being a Firebirds leader?
"Building relationships and connection with all your team-mates so you can have critical conversations out on court. Emotional intelligence, understanding my own emotions and can read others well. This helps with communication, conflict resolution and building trust within a team. Accountability, taking responsibility for my actions and decisions. Both success and failures. Setting a standard for the team."
Hulita Veve - Firebird #85 (2025)
What did it mean to captain the Firebirds?
"It was about representing something bigger than myself, it was honouring Laura Geitz and Clare Ferguson who were my Firebirds Captains in 2016, and being able to help pass on their legacy that I was lucky enough to be a part of."
What made the Firebirds special to you?
"It gave me some of my proudest moments. It was a place that challenged me to be my best, not just as a player but as a person."
What characteristics are crucial to being a Firebirds leader?
"Consistency, care and courage!"
Ruby Bakewell-Doran - Firebird #103 (2025-present)
What does it mean to captain the Firebirds?
"I think the biggest honour for me lies within my team-mates. The confidence and belief that those girls have in me to lead them is what makes it so special for me. I have so much respect for each and every one of them - they’re such inspiring women. I lead for them."
What makes the Firebirds special to you?
"The Firebirds were the first female sporting team I ever watched live. I remember being down on the sideline while all my friends were getting autographs and I was in complete awe of the athletes before me. I didn’t even need an autograph - just watching those women, who were so tall and strong and athletic was enough for me. It’s such a blazingly clear memory. The way they held themselves after the game was incredible. They weren’t gushy or sweet or shy like everyone was always expecting little girls to be like. They were confident, they held their space so strongly and they had this edge about them that I loved. At the age of 10 I knew that no matter what I did, when I grew up, I wanted to be that kind of girl. That’s what makes the Firebirds so special to me. They showed me who I wanted to be."
What characteristics are crucial to being a Firebirds leader?
" Courage. Perseverance. Grit. Intuition. Someone who sums it up better than I ever could is Gilbert Enoka: 'The seeds of a great leader are as follows: Great leaders know it’s not about them (but it’s only about them); Great leaders are Vikings with a mother’s heart; Great leaders are masters of intuition; Great leaders power up the village; Great leaders are totally committed to personal growth.' I’m not a perfect leader. Sometimes I succeed and sometimes I fail. But something that remains true is that I measure myself against those seeds every time I’m with my team to try and be better for them in small ways and in big ones."
