Firebirds recruits well programmed for step up to big time
MISSION Queensland Firebirds coach Roselee Jencke has paid tribute to Australia’s development programs for their roles in preparing athletes for the demanding ANZ Championship.
The Firebirds have been the beneficiary of that work this season, bringing in five young players to their squad, all who have played a role in the side’s Grand Final appearance this Sunday against the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
Jencke said they enter their systems - or those of other ANZ Championship franchises - ready to handle whatever the world’s elite netball competition throws at them because.
“Yes, it has been very satisfying with what we’ve been able to achieve this season. But behind the scenes people have done a formidable job with these players,” Jencke said.
“These players have a good netball education to be able to take that next step so quickly. I feel that these players came into our program at a very good standard to be able to take that next step a lot quicker.
“(Our belief was) Knowing that if we got not just game time, but consistent game time into them you would see that improvement in them.
"We’ve been able to put a bit more icing on the cake but knowing they’ve still got more improvement in them.
“They’re able to cope with that level of pressure and physicality.”
The core group of Jencke’s all-conquering 2011 Championship team will take to the court at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Sunday.
It’s been the addition of role players like Kim Ravaillion, Gabi Simpson, Demelza McCloud, Nicola Gray and Jacinta Messer that’s helped off-set the loss of former captain Lauren Nourse, Keirra Trompf, Shannon Eagland and Elissa Macleod.
Although they missed the Finals last season and turned over half their list, Jencke still had high expectations on her squad entering 2013.
They’ve achieved every goal – except one.
“We’ve had our own targets and goals and we’ve been able to tick those off and we’re very much looking forward to Sunday,” Jencke said.
“They are certainly a very good team. Nobody gave us a hope (of making Finals). People thought we were just going to make up the numbers this year but that’s never been our thought process.
“It was never going to be a development year just because we had six new players in our squad. I don’t believe that for one second. When you play in an elite competition, you pick a team to perform each week and win.
“I knew that given the right environment, I had enough champion players to lift those around them. They have all improved actually. It’s been a fantastic team effort.”
The Firebirds will hold their final training session in Brisbane on Friday night before heading to Adelaide Saturday morning.
This will be their fourth straight week on the road – which included a trip to Adelaide for the final round of the regular season – but Jencke said that’s actually helped them prepare for Sunday.
“We couldn’t have had a better lead up for what’s going to be a really good game on Sunday,” Jencke declared.
“You’ve got champions in both teams so it should be a good quality game.”
The Thunderbirds take on the Firebirds in the 2013 ANZ Championship Grand Final at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Sunday, July 14 at 2pm, local time.
