PURCHASING a day’s worth of internet access during a holiday cruise with her family has led to an exciting opportunity as a Queensland Firebirds training partner for rising talent Olivia Dijkstra.
The 21-year-old was working her way through almost 50 unread emails when she noticed one in particular that required an immediate response.
“I was in the middle of the ocean and I decided to purchase internet for a day and I saw I had 47 email notifications but I couldn’t open it and read them,” Dijkstra said.
“Then I saw an email from Sara (Francis-Bayman, Firebirds assistant coach) saying ‘I don’t know if you’ve got my text but we would love for you to come in and talk to us.’
“I replied saying ‘I’m so sorry. I’m not dodging you, I’m just in the middle of the ocean on a boat. I’ll be back in two days.’
“I was so shook when I got the email because I was with my family on the sunset deck having a few drinks.”
Back on Australian shores, Dijkstra met with Francis-Bayman and Firebirds Head Coach Bec Bulley, and has now signed on as the club’s fourth training partner for the 2023 Suncorp Super Netball season.
The New Zealand-born Gold Coast product, who has represented Queensland at 17 and Under and 19 and Under level, had her first training session with the Firebirds on Monday.
A member of the Queensland Sapphires at last year’s Australian National Championship, Dijkstra’s latest step in her netball path comes after opting to focus on the code ahead of an equally promising basketball career.
After a year in the United States with playing college basketball with California-based Biola University, Dijkstra returned to Australia aiming to pursue her first sporting love.
“I played Under-20s for Queensland in basketball but then I realised how much I missed and loved netball,” she said.
“I’ve always wanted to have an opportunity like this.
“Very grateful for it and I’m very excited.”
Bulley said she was excited to continue the 195cm Queensland pathways product’s development within the Firebirds setup.
“She’s quite mobile, having played basketball, and is going to be a great target,” Bulley said.
“Olivia’s basketball background means that she’s good at posting up, getting strong holds and also set up screens – she shoots quite accurately too.
“She’s just a really exciting prospect.”
Dijksta joins fellow new arrival Isabelle Shearer as well as Hulita Veve and Leesa Mi Mi as 2023 training partners.
THE BIRDIES ARE BACK! Tickets are now on sale via Ticketek for the 2023 Suncorp Super Netball season. Don’t miss a minute of the action and secure your seat now.
