The Queensland Firebirds have added further firepower to their squad for the 2021 Suncorp Super Netball season, with Captain Gabi Simpson and fellow midcourters Jemma Mi Mi and Lara Dunkley all recommitting to the Club.
Simpson was recently named in the Origin Australian Diamonds squad following a 2020 campaign in which she reaffirmed her position as one of the pre-eminent midcourters in the competition, while Mi Mi’s athleticism, vision and form across the season saw her included in the Australian Development Squad.
For Dunkley, the move to Queensland has certainly paid dividends, with the dynamic 25-year-old playing 12 games across her debut season for the Firebirds on her way to also securing a place in the Australian Development Squad.
Queensland Firebirds’ High Performance Director, Jeremy Hickmans, said the trio will each play a pivotal role in the team in 2021.
“Gabi possesses a genuine ability to change games and her leadership and intensity are both critical components in our Firebirds brand of netball,” Hickmans said.
“Similarly, Jemma’s passion, resilience and work rate have a big influence on this group and are qualities we both admire in her but also see as central to our Club’s ethos.”
“For Lara, she has certainly taken the opportunity at Suncorp Super Netball level with both hands and proven her ability to match some of the best players in the competition.”
“We are putting together an exciting engine room for next season who I have no doubt will be instrumental in our future success.”
Simpson, Mi Mi and Dunkley join midcourt partner Kim Ravaillion, shooters Gretel Bueta, Romelda Aiken and Tippah Dwan, and defenders Kim Jenner, Tara Hinchliffe and Rudi Ellis as confirmed signings for the Firebirds for the 2021 Suncorp Super Netball season.
The Queensland Firebirds are now awaiting confirmation from Suncorp Super Netball on squad sizes for the 2021 season before making any further announcements.