The Queensland Firebirds have bolstered their playing roster with the addition of five Training Partners for the 2021 Suncorp Super Netball season.
Macy Gardner, Mia Stower, Hulita Veve and Ruby Bakewell-Doran all return having been members of the Firebirds squad in 2020, with prodigious attacking talent Reilley Batcheldor graduating from the Queensland pathway to join the senior set up for the first time.
Gardner, Stower and Veve all saw court time for the Firebirds throughout the 2020 season, while Bakewell-Doran played a central role in the Brisbane North Cougars Premiership winning HART Sapphire Series campaign.
Promotion to the senior squad also caps a remarkable few months for Batcheldor, after the 18 year old shooter was selected in the Australian 21/U squad in September, before being named MVP in the HART Ruby Series Grand Final in November.
With the full squad now finalised, the Firebirds will enter the 2021 campaign with 13 of their 15 players from the previous season – providing a level of consistency Head Coach Megan Anderson believes will be of great benefit to the Club.
“I’ve watched Macy, Mia, Ruby and Hulita over a number of years now and have seen their games grow in strength and maturity,” Anderson said.
“The exposure they received in such a short time in 2020 was immense and I expect them to continue to improve in our environment.”
“Reilley is new to the set up but is a fearless competitor who has proven she thrives in big occasions and I am excited to see what she can bring to the group.”
All five Training Partners have commenced pre-season training with the senior squad this week as the Queensland Firebirds ramp up their preparations for the 2021 Suncorp Super Netball season.
