Star midcourter Kim Ravaillion will captain the Queensland Firebirds for the 2022 Suncorp Super Netball league season.
Ravaillion, the reigning club MVP winner will be supported by fellow mid-court dynamo Lara Dunkley as vice-captain.
The 28-year-old said it ‘means a lot’ to take on the captaincy of a club that helped start her career and that she has called home almost ever since.
“To be named captain of this great club is so special to me, I have great memories here,” Ravaillion said.
“For the girls to trust in me and back me not only as a player but a person gives me so much confidence to do the best that I can to lead this group to the best way I know how.
“The girls are my biggest motivators, I love hearing their feedback it only makes me better as a leader. I will support, push and bring the best out of the girls around me.”
Ravaillion has played under some of the game’s best captains at both the Queensland Firebirds and for Australia - experience which she will naturally use to be skipper herself.
But the talented centre has made it clear she won’t be pretending to be someone she is not, just because of her new title.
“I try my best to lead by example especially for our young ones because that’s what I learnt when I was a young player, from those who led before me,” Ravaillion explained.
“I will lead the best way I know how and that’s by example. I’m not scripted I make mistakes; I stutter when I talk - that’s just me.”
Having tasted plenty of success with the Firebirds, including two championships, Ravaillion knows what is needed for her team to climb to the top of the competition.
The newly appointed captain admits she is under no illusion being number one in SSN is no easy task.
“This group has been working really hard in our preseason, the feeling in the group is one I have felt before and it excites me,” Ravaillion said.
“There is a long pre-season ahead and a lot of hard yards to put in, that’s why we do it because we love the challenge of the game and we all want to win for the Firebirds’ purple family.”
Ravaillion takes over the captaincy from Gabi Simpson, who is ready to support her long-time friend and team mate, after stepping aside from the role following five strong years at the helm.
Firebirds head coach Megan Anderson spoke glowingly of Ravaillion and explained why she would make a great captain.
“Rav is an amazing athlete, both physically and in the approach she has to the game. She never stops in the pursuit of being better and improving herself,” Anderson said.
“She knows she has achieved the highs of netball, but now life is not so much about her and what she can achieve but about helping others achieve their best.
“I have seen her grow into a mature and selfless player who is genuinely caring and so enthusiastic about making her teammates be the best they can be.
“When she speaks everyone listens so it’ll more of the concise, to the point and timely chats with the players that will help inspire them to achieve big things in 2022.”
Photo Credit: Adam Head - Courier Mail.
