Ahead of the first round of the Australian Netball League on Saturday, Netball Queensland is delighted to announce Amy Sommerville as the 2019 Queensland Fusion captain.
Sommerville has garnered huge respect and support from her team mates after moving to Brisbane in 2017 as a Lorna Jane Queensland Firebirds training partner.
Someone who has played a lot of netball with the goal attack is fellow New South Wales player and Firebirds Captain Gabi Simpson, who has given her a huge endorsement, praising her selfless leadership style.
“Having grown up playing with Amy, one of her best attributes is her ability to stay calm under pressure,” she said.
“She has a really soothing presence on court. She is a very smart player, she spends a lot of time making other players look really good around her,” Simpson said.
The Fusion will begin their campaign this Saturday, immediately following the Firebirds match against the Collingwood Magpies at the Queensland State Netball Centre.
Simpson believes the injuries that have hampered the Firebirds over their pre-season has provided valuable opportunities for some of the younger Firebirds squad members who will line up for the Fusion this season.
“Having had quite a few niggles in the Firebirds environment during pre-season, it’s been really cool to see the training partners step into the team and really hold their own and play their role,” she said.
Fusion players Macy Gardner, Maddie Hinchliffe and Leah Middleton all received valuable court time in Firebirds practice matches in March and April. Sommerville, replacing the injured Tippah Dwan (foot) also made her Firebirds debut in the final quarter of the team’s round one Suncorp Super Netball loss to the Melbourne Vixens on Saturday.
“That’s one of the most exciting things we’ve seen in this pre-season is these young girls really step up and take on the challenge, and that experience is going to hold the Fusion team in such great stead moving forward,” Simpson said.
The Queensland Fusion will kick off round one of the Deakin University Australian Netball League at 5.30pm on Saturday at the Queensland State Netball Centre. Ticket can be purchased online at Ticketek or at the door.
