THE Queensland Firebirds are thrilled to have secured the signatures of Australian Diamonds squad members Donnell Wallam and Ruby Bakewell-Doran for the 2023 Suncorp Super Netball season.
Both Wallam and Bakewell-Doran enjoyed breakout performances for the Firebirds in 2022, and were recognised by Diamonds selectors who named the pair as training partners for the upcoming Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
Wallam, 28, has signed a fresh one-year contract with the Firebirds, after quickly stamping her dominance on the SSN court in what was her debut season, scoring an impressive 519 goals across the regular rounds.
The proud Noongar woman couldn’t be more excited to remain in purple.
“It’ll be so different to this season when I didn’t have a contract until six weeks out, so I now have a preseason to look forward to with the opportunity to gel even further with the team,” Wallam said.
“Next year is going to be even better because I now know what to expect. This first year was a year of learning, now I can take all of that knowledge and really hone my craft.”
Defender Bakewell-Doran, 23, has also committed to a new 12-month contract following her first full SSN season where she amassed 56 deflections and 19 intercepts.
“It was really easy for me to make the call to sign again,” Bakewell-Doran said.
“I love all the girls and it feels like home. To grow up supporting the Firebirds and to now get to be a part of it all is a no-brainer.”
Netball Queensland CEO Kate Davies said the return of both Wallam and Bakewell-Doran reflects the strength of what will be an exciting 2023 Firebirds line-up.
“Donnell and Ruby are exciting talents in Australian netball, and superb role models for our next generation of netball stars,” Davies said.
“Our 2023 playing roster, determined over many months of scrutiny by our List Management Committee, is an impressive blend of experience, skill and ambition.”
The club will announce further signings in the coming days of what is a busy contractual period.
