The two-time Laura Geitz Medallist, who shared captaincy duties last season with Hulita Veve, will hold the role in a standalone capacity next year with midcourt duo Lara Dunkley and Macy Gardner as vice-captains.
Bakewell-Doran’s appointment was confirmed to the Firebirds playing group at Nissan Arena on Tuesday and the 26-year-old cannot wait to lead the team into what she believes will be a big year.
“I’m so excited. Words can’t really put into what I can envisage this team achieving,” she said.
“Even where we are at the moment compared to where we were last year we’re leaps and bounds from there.
“I can’t wait to show them what we’ve got.”
It’s the fifth season Dunkley has held a leadership role with the Firebirds after initially being appointed vice-captain in 2022.
The 30-year-old, who has been with the Firebirds since 2020, is eager to use her influence and experience as the team aims to rise up the SSN ladder.
“The history of this club is super special something that I hold close to my heart, not even being a Queenslander, but I feel like I am now because of the people are here and welcome me,” Dunkley said.
“I just love bringing the best out in people. I love supporting my teammates day-in, day-out and I can’t wait to take it on again this year.”
Queensland pathways product Gardner will be holding a formal leadership role with the Firebirds for the first time as her star continues to grow.
The 25-year-old made her 50th SSN appearance during the 2025 season and has been an ever-present across the past two seasons after recovering from a season-ending wrist injury midway through the 2023 campaign.
A former Queensland 19 and Under co-captain, the 2024 Laura Geitz Medallist was excited about stepping into the leadership group in 2026.
“It means so much. From being a young girl supporting the Firebirds and being a part of this club and this community for a really long time, I feel extremely honoured and grateful to be in this position and just to be able to support Rubes and Larz and the whole team on our venture be successful is just an amazing opportunity for me,” Gardner said.
“I want to make sure that I do our club, our community, our fans and our team proud.”
Firebirds Head Coach Kiri Wills said Bakewell-Doran had proven her leadership qualities in 2025 and would be ably supported by the pairing of Dunkley and Gardner.
“With Lara and Ruby they both did such a fantastic job last year that there was really no reason to change that,” Wills said.
“We were really proud of them and how they led this team through a season with not many successes. So that was really a no-brainer for us.
“Then the third position that was left vacant, we had a look at our group and, to be honest, we’ve got a lot of leaders within the group but I think Macy has really stepped up in 2025.
“She owns her role. She knows what her job is and she does it whilst also supporting everybody else as any good midcourter should.”
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