YOUNG defender Isabelle Shearer’s rise towards netball’s elite has taken another step, signing with the Queensland Firebirds as a training partner for 2023.
The 19-year-old had her first training run with the Firebirds squad on Monday, capping a past few months that has included being part of the Queensland Sapphires squad at the Australian Netball Championships in August.
“It’s been a crazy year,” Shearer said.
“I had 19s Nationals, where I came in as an injury replacement for that, and then I was an injury replacement player for ANC as well.
“It’s awesome to be joining the Firebirds as a training partner. Something I’ve always wanted in my career and I was kind of hoping it would happen for me but I don’t know if I was expecting it.”
A Rockhampton product, Shearer moved to Brisbane two years ago to pursue her netball dream.
She was part of the QUT Netball team which finished runner-up in last year’s HART Sapphire Series and will play for the Carina Leagues Club Tigers in this year’s competition.
“I’m stoked to have got this opportunity … I got a call on Friday that I’d got training partner and I walked back into work crying,” Shearer said.
“I’m so happy – so nervous – but so excited.
“I’m just hoping to learn so much, soak it all in and learn from all of the players – senior players like Rav (Kim Ravaillion) and Gabi (Simpson) that I’ve looked up to since I was a kid.”
Firebirds Head Coach Bec Bulley was thrilled to be in a position to offer the training partner opportunity to another young Queensland talent.
“Isabelle has come through the Queensland state program and been nationally talent identified throughout those years,” Bulley said.
“She’s a homegrown product from a regional area of our state and it’s fantastic to have her given the chance to take her game to the next level with us over the next few months.”
The Firebirds are still aiming to secure at least one more training partner for 2023 following the departures of Charlie Bell and Ash Ervin.
A decision on the availability of superstar shooter Gretel Bueta for the 2023 Suncorp Super Netball season is also yet to be finalised.
“We’re still giving Gretel all the time she needs to decide her immediate future and what that entails,” Bulley said.
“Gretel, Niko and Bobby are very much members of our Purple Family and continue to have our complete love and support.”
