DEFENDER Lia Woolnough has answered a last-minute call to join the Queensland Firebirds squad for Saturday’s Suncorp Spirit Cup in Mackay.
The ACU Brisbane North Cougars player was rushed into the team travelling to North Queensland after Ashlee Unie was ruled out having returned a positive COVID-19 test early on Friday morning.
Woolnough trained at Mackay Multisports Stadium following the team’s arrival ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Sunshine Coast Lightning.
It was a dramatic change of plans for Woolnough, who was on her way to work when she received a phone call from Firebirds head coach Bec Bulley.
“Unfortunately ahead of Ash’s first match with the Firebirds she’s tested positive to COVID and has been ruled out but we’re fortunate we managed to get a replacement player with about an hour and a half to spare to get to the airport,” Bulley said.
Saturday’s inaugural Suncorp Spirit Cup will be played in five 10-minute periods and will give Bulley and new assistant coach Sara Francis-Bayman a chance to evaluate their players’ pre-season progression.
“This will be my first hit-out as head coach of the Firebirds but also for a lot of players this will be their first match in Purple as well,” Bulley said.
“It’s going to be really exciting.
“Hopefully they can just go out and play well tomorrow night.”
The match is also an exciting opportunity for the Firebirds and Lightning to connect with regional fans in north Queensland, something Bulley was particularly looking forward to.
“It’s so exciting to be in Mackay, such a great opportunity to engage with our fans and our netball community up here so we’re really excited about this opportunity.”
Saturday’s match begins at 7pm.
