To celebrate Simpson reaching the mark, the Firebirds are handing out 1000 yellow ribbons to fans for Sunday’s Suncorp Super Netball clash with the West Coast Fever.
Wearing a yellow ribbon in a bow in her hair has been a hallmark of Simpson’s elite netball career, which has including two premierships and four grand final appearances since joining the Firebirds ahead of the 2013 season.
It’s a tradition which Simpson says dates back to her time with the Australian Under-19 team.
“Yellow has always been my favourite colour,” Simpson said.
“My room that I used to live in growing up was bright yellow with purple skirting board.
“I received a yellow ribbon when I was 19 and now whenever I put the ribbon on it reminds me of the girl that loved netball for the joy of the game.
“It’s just for fun. It brings so much light into my life and when I put it on, the last thing I do before playing, it brings me joy and it makes me forget about how serious netball can be.”
Simpson is entering an exclusive club when she takes to the court on Sunday, joining former teammates Romelda Aiken-George (197) and Laura Geitz (169) as the only players to have made over 150 appearances for the Firebirds.
It’s an achievement the 2017 Liz Ellis medallist is rightly proud of.
“It’s pretty special to hit that 150 mark purely because of how much I’ve been able to experience in terms of the amazing people I’ve met along the way, the people I’ve been coached by, this amazing crowd – there’s faces that I’ve known for 11 years - so to be a part of a community for that long is something that’s pretty special,” Simpson said.
An athletics star in her youth, Simpson represented Australia at 17U, 19U and 21U levels before making her move to Queensland.
She has represented the Diamonds 41 times, winning the Quad Series five times and was Australia’s vice-captain as they won silver at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
Captaining the Firebirds for five seasons from 2017 to 2021, Simpson said it was equally humbling to be joining Aiken-George and Geitz as 150-gamers for the club.
“It’s really special to be in that company and to know what impact they’ve had on this club, how they’ve shifted and shaped the direction of it,” she said.
“Being here for 150 games has also allowed me to make my mark and shape the direction of the club and leave a bit of a legacy.”
Sunday’s game against the Fever begins at 2pm. Tickets are still available via Ticketek.
