As Suncorp Super Netball’s contracting period nears its conclusion, Queensland Firebirds fans won’t need to wait in anticipation for any eleventh-hour signing news.
In fact, the Purple Family have been excited for some time now about those players who’ll be wearing their beloved purple dress in 2021, with the Queensland side the first club to confirm their contracted athletes for next season.
And with nine of the 12 players that took the court in 2020 returning, it will be amongst the most consistent and familiar squads across the league next year.
Add to the mix the return of two-time premiership player and Firebirds fan favourite Kim Ravaillion, and you have all the ingredients for an exciting 2021 campaign.
It’s a prospect that has Captain Gabi Simpson confident about the team’s potential in 2021.
“We’ve been talking about building for a few years now but at the end of this season you started to see tangible results, particularly against the top teams in the competition,” Simpson said.
“One of the most important things in a successful season is a winning mindset and we experienced a genuine shift this year, both in our attitude and capability.”
“When you create that as a team its’ critical you stay together in order to continue with that confidence into next season.”
Simpson is also motivated to again combine with Ravaillion, with the pair to resume the formidable midcourt partnership that was central to the Firebird’s Premiership purple patch in 2015 and 2016.
“I am genuinely excited because of the history we have together - there are so many unspoken connections that will naturally occur – it’s almost like muscle memory.”
“It’s been four years since we’ve played together and we’ve both grown so much, as players and people, and it’s a really exciting prospect to come back together with the benefit of that lived experience to see how much more potential there is.”
Another of the returning Firebirds’ is fellow midcourter Jemma Mi Mi, with the 24-year-old set for her fifth season at the National League level with the Queensland club.
Mi Mi said the opportunity to return to the court with her teammates and represent the Purple Family was one she would relish.
“Reflecting on what we accomplished in 2020, particularly how we remained united as a group throughout a challenging year, I knew I wanted to be back in the purple dress with these girls next season,” Mi Mi said.
“The club is on the verge of something really special, particularly with that exciting balance of experience and youth, but it’s the culture within the team that’s most important to us and I honestly don’t think I would find what we share together anywhere else.”
“There will certainly be competition for spots but that brings out the best in each of us, and the great thing about this group is that while we are competitive, we also support each other through thick and thin.”
“Moving forward into 2021 we are closer than we’ve ever been, and if we can continue to build those connections, I have no doubt we will be unstoppable.”
The Queensland Firebirds are now waiting on confirmation from the League on squad sizes to finalise their broader playing roster.
