As the opening round of the 2020 Suncorp Super Netball season draws closer, the Queensland Firebirds’ commitment across the COVID-19 break is paying dividends.
Having endured a gruelling pre-season campaign that saw the squad raise the bar from a strength and fitness perspective, the indefinite COVID enforced break threatened to stall momentum with players training in isolation and some even returning home interstate.
Far from proving costly though, midcourter Gabi Simpson believes the COVID period was a valuable experience for the entire squad.
Fresh from another ‘Championship Tuesday’, the most physically challenging session of each Birdies training week, Simpson said the confidence is continuing to build after the break
“We haven’t missed a beat,” Simpson said.
“I’m so impressed by both the level at which we returned from the break, as well as the fierce determination we’ve displayed to improve with every training session.”
“It’s clear all the girls remained absolutely committed to their programs across the break which has enabled us to continue the momentum we had built, rather than playing catch up.”
“Obviously it’s difficult to get a true gauge of where we are at without the opportunity to test ourselves in pre-season against other teams but there is certainly a really good feeling in the group at present.”
Queensland Firebirds Head of Performance, Brynley Abad, believes the confidence is warranted.
“We have continued to push the players beyond their previous limits in order to demonstrate to each of them what they are truly capable of,” Abad said.
“There’s 60 minutes in a game and it’s about ensuring we play every single second of that time – you won’t see a drop in intensity from the Firebirds this season.”
The Suncorp Super Netball Commission is expected to announce further details regarding the 2020 season in the coming days.
