DEFENDER Ash Unie has been ready to hit the court for the Queensland Firebirds for much longer than you’d expect.
As a teenager on the Sunshine Coast, Unie would always strap on her netball shoes before heading to Firebirds matches – on the off chance an opportunity presented itself for the youngster to be plucked from the stands.
“I'd travel down the Bruce to come to games whenever I could. I used to wear my netball shoes to games, just in case,” she said.
“I knew it was far-fetched but you can sort of convince yourself 'if enough things happen' maybe it could be me.”
Those preparations may have never led to a shock run-on, but Unie’s dream of donning the purple dress is now a reality after being signed to a fulltime contract with the Firebirds for the 2023 Suncorp Super Netball season.
Unie has made the move from the Sunshine Coast Lightning, where she debuted at national level in 2020.
After making three appearances that campaign, Unie’s career hit pause after she suffered an ACL injury during a practice match early in 2021 having been elevated to the senior squad for the Lightning.
Completely recovered, the 26-year-old is drawing positives from her rollercoaster past 18 months.
“I don’t particularly have a cloud over me that makes me feel I have to prove something, it’s more I realise the privilege and opportunity of playing moreso than I did before,” she said.
“Going from my body playing netball to pay the bills to not being able to drive to get milk was a certain challenge physically and mentally but then the subsequent months where you get back to semi-normal and it has left other people’s minds while it’s still your daily focus and just going through that grind is quite lonely.
“It takes a bit of commitment.
“It’s not a fun journey but it’s a worthwhile one.”
A tough and mobile defender, Unie is also relishing being coached by Bec Bulley – one of those Firebirds the teenager with the netball shoes on in the stands idolised.
“I’m willing to drain as much knowledge out of her as I can – as much as she’s willing to give me,” Unie said.
“There’s certainly a bounty of information there that she will have gained from her time on the court.
“There’s plenty of coaches that haven’t necessarily played that position and can give you advice but there’s another level of insight that comes from having been in that position and so recently been in that position.”
