FORMIDABLE defender Remi Kamo still can’t quite believe she’s been recruited into the Queensland Firebirds team for 2023.
The impressive 28-year-old Brisbane-born netballer “thought the dream was over” but, in a lesson to all aspiring players, will soon make her Suncorp Super Netball debut alongside current and former ACU Brisbane North Cougars teammates Macy Gardner, Mia Stower and Ruby Bakewell-Doran.
“It’s pretty wild to be in this position, making my debut with the Firebirds,” Kamo said.
“When I didn’t think the opportunity to get to this level was there anymore, I shifted my focus to completing my masters in psychology which I’ll finish at the end of this year.”
Kamo has represented Queensland at under-17, under-19 and under-21 levels, but describes her entry to the Firebirds as a “whirlwind”.
“I was playing in the HART Sapphire Series for Cougars, and was picked for the Australian Netball Championship (ANC) last year when Katie Walker was coach,” she said.
“I started to get invitations to Firebirds training and when I was there it felt like I could compete. I really enjoyed it and learnt more about myself and my own capacity and ability. It gave me confidence that I could train and play at that level, and it was really great to play again with players I’ve watched and admired, including Mia, Ruby and Macy.”
Kamo attributes her success to both long-serving Cougars coaches Liz White and Amanda Vanderwal, and the Netball Queensland development pathways.
“I’m still shocked but it’s really, really exciting,” Kamo said.
“My parents and family are huge netball fans, they love it so much and are so proud. It honestly hasn’t sunk in yet and is so surreal. I’m really looking forward to having the opportunity to focus solely on netball, and stepping up into a team of incredibly skilled and talented professional netballers.”
Kamo, Stower and Gardner will reunite next month to represent the Queensland Sapphires at the ANC in Traralgon, from 22-28 August.
