Harking back to 2021 when the Firebirds hosted the first dedicated Pride Match in Suncorp Super Netball history, the club will again celebrate all things pride for the Round 11 clash with the Mavericks.
As well as the match, which is being held during Pride Month, the Firebirds have held several activities in the build-up to the match including a Progress Rainbow Pride Flag-themed training day and an education session with Pride in Sport.
English international Imogen Allison, who has come on board as a Netball Queensland LGBTQ+ Champion in 2025, said Sunday's match means a huge amount to the entire team.
"I love Pride Round, I think it's a super-cool way we can celebrate Pride and really show how we embrace everyone for who they are and it's always a super fun way to celebrate," Allison said.
"Being Pride Month, I personally absolutely love being a part of the community and I just think the more that we celebrate it - not even in Pride Month but all the time - the better."
As NQ's LGBTQ+ Champion, Allison plays a crucial role in elevating the voices and perspectives of LGBTQ+ people and communities, promoting acceptance and inclusion, educating community members about LGBTQ+ issues, building bridges, and encouraging others to practice allyship, all for the purpose of demonstrating that there is a place for everyone in netball.
"Everyone should feel comfortable to express themselves for who they are in sport. I have experienced netball to be a safe space and a welcoming community," Allison said.
On the court, the Firebirds will be eager to build on last weekend's gutsy display against the Adelaide Thunderbirds, where they eventually succumbed to a seven-goal defeat against the reigning premiers.
The Mavericks meanwhile head to Queensland coming off a 63-69 defeat to the West Coast Fever, marking their fourth consecutive loss - leaving both them and the Firebirds with a two-win, eight-loss record heading into Sunday's match.
LAST TIME WE MET
Led by an inspired 61-goal display from Shimona Jok, the Mavericks pulled away from the Firebirds after an equal first quarter to claim a 71-64 win at MyState Bank Arena in Hobart back in Round 6.
Emily Moore finished with 17 from 22 to continue her impressive start to the 2025 season while Abigail Latu-Meafou hit four two-pointers in her 21 minutes on the court.
TEAM NEWS
Neither team has any new injury concerns heading into this match, Latu-Meafou continuing as a temporary injury replacement player for injured goaler Tippah Dwan (knee).
Tongan international Uneeq Palavi remains in the Mavericks' match day squad as a replacement player for Eleanor Cardwell.
KEY MATCHUP - Macy Gardner vs Molly Jovic
The two pocket rockets in midcourt are barometers for either team, bringing energy and drive to the midcourt. Gardner, the reigning Laura Geitz Medallist, has been a consistent performer throughout 2025 for the Firebirds whether at centre or wing attack and is inside the league's top 10 for goal assists (148), feeds into the circle (297), centre pass receives (141) and second phase receives (105).
Jovic is narrowly ahead of Gardner with 151 assists this season and whichever of these midcourt dynamos can get their team moving forward will go a long way to determining the end result.
KEY STAT
Round 11 has been a happy hunting ground for the Firebirds in recent years with the club winning five of their previous eight Round 11 fixtures.
LAST WORD
"There are things we know we've fixed since the last time we've played them ... we've done a lot of learnings since then. We respect them as an opposition, we know it's going to be fairly physical out there. They bring a tough game, that's just part of who they are, and we're going to go after it." - Firebirds Head Coach KIRI WILLS on the challenge of the Mavericks ahead of Sunday's game.
HOW TO GET THERE
All the information regarding game day is available here. For fans residing in Australia, you can watch Sunday’s game via Foxtel, Kayo Sports or Binge. Meanwhile, international viewers can watch the game via Netball pass.
