A rollercoaster ride is how I’d sum up Suncorp Super Netball season 2022.
We kicked off the competition really well, hit a rough patch around halfway through and wrapped up strongly.
New initiatives and processes were implemented in the off-season which paid off in the early rounds, but the middle part of the season reminded us that it requires continual work and learning to maintain excellence.
The last three rounds I was really pleased with, so despite not making finals it was a great finish to the season.
Being such a competitive competition this year, there was zero time for lapses. As I mentioned above, we were continually reminded of the need for adhering to and striving for ongoing high performance standards, which requires effort and discipline to do the one-percenters.
We happily proved some pundits wrong, those who thought we’d finish dead last after Romelda withdrew due to her pregnancy, and the loss of Tippah, Rudi and Tara to other teams.
With four new players in Firebirds’ colours we were able to mix it with the best, which is a credit to the work ethic and culture of both our staff and players.
The purple family is a tight-knit bunch, so it makes for an emotional time of year as we consider what we need within our team moving forward to continue to strive for the championship.
We have Lara, Kim Rav and Gretel on two-year contracts and will be looking to finalise the remaining spots in the next few weeks.
In the meantime, the players score a week off while staff plan for end-of-season reviews which involves us running a fine-tooth comb over the programs, players, matches and ourselves in an ongoing quest to be better.
Once completed, we’ll all have a bit of a rest to refresh the mind and body before we crack on with focusing towards next season’s campaign.
Unless you’re in the Diamonds Commonwealth Games team of 12 or a training partner, like Gretel, Donnell and Ruby.
We’re so proud of our trio of Aussie reps, what an amazing achievement and just reward for their hard work, sacrifices and dedication this year.
They’re off to Diamonds camp in Perth before heading over to Birmingham for the Games’ netball competition which will run from July 29 through to August 7.
But there’s plenty on the cards before then, including the upcoming SSN finals and our Firebirds awards dinner where we’d love to celebrate our year with you. More to come on that in coming weeks!
