This weekend marks the start of Suncorp Super Netball’s First Nations Round.
Played across Rounds 12 and 13, the 2022 First Nations Round focuses on raising awareness, celebrating and understanding the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to netball and the nation.
It’s significant to lead off this week’s Coach’s Corner by acknowledging this as I have learnt so much from being a part of the Firebirds and Netball Queensland family, and I’m proud to be on my own journey of learning about our First Nations people and their culture.
Jem (Jemma) and Nelle (Donnell) have been wonderful and open in allowing us into their culture and sharing their experiences with us, and it makes the First Nations Round even more special when we can represent them with pride and stand beside them as a family.
As we arrive on Perth soil for the first time since Round 13, 2019, preparing to tackle Fever on Saturday night to keep our 2022 season alive, please know we’re working really hard to bounce back from our loss last weekend to the Lightning.
Our crowd at home is always amazing, and we were bitterly disappointed we didn’t put in a performance worthy of your support.
It’s been a busy week and we’re ready to go for this crucial clash at RAC Arena against a side so solid right across the court.
Fever score easily with Fowler in the circle, they’re fit and fast through the mid-court, and have impressive defensive structures.
So how do we secure victory? It’s a simple equation of executing our attacking plays and restricting their scoring rate.
We’ll be focusing on playing with our Firebirds’ brand of flair and confidence, while being mindful of moments in a match which require a more steady hand.
We’re aiming for full-court defence to slow the ball down, which allows our defenders at the back to hunt for the all-important turnover ball.
Keep an eye on Gabi and her work rate in limiting access to Fowler.
Gabs is having an outstanding season, and is still learning and improving which is a huge credit to her in her tenth year in the league. I know she’ll be pumped for this challenge.
For those of you wondering how Jemma’s Achilles injury is faring, she’s tracking better than expected and we’ve been easing her into court work this week to see how she goes. It really is a day-by-day process but Jem is certainly ahead of where we expected her to be.
Don’t forget tickets are still available for our last home game of the regular round, when we host Giants Netball on Saturday, June 4 at Nissan Arena.
We’d love to see you there!
