Wikipedia

2015 Queensland Firebirds season

The 2015 Queensland Firebirds season saw the Queensland Firebirds netball team compete in the 2015 ANZ Championship. With a team coached by Roselee Jencke, captained by Laura Geitz and featuring Romelda Aiken, Clare McMeniman and Kim Ravaillion, Firebirds won the Australian Conference, the Challenge Trophy, the minor premiership and the overall championship. Firebirds narrowly defeated New South Wales Swifts in both the Australian Conference final and the Grand Final on their way to effectively winning four titles.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]

Queensland Firebirds
2015 season
21 January 2015; Members of the 2015 Queensland Firebirds team. Form left to right, Clare McMeniman, Romelda Aiken, Rebecca Bulley, Laura Clemesha, Beryl Friday, Caitlyn Nevins and Kim Ravaillion.
Head coachRoselee Jencke
Asst. coachJenny Brazel
ManagerNannette Rigoni
CaptainLaura Geitz
Vice-captainClare McMeniman
Main venueBrisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
Season results
Wins–losses14–1 (1 draw)
Regular season1st (Australian Conference)
Challenge Trophy holders
Finals placing1st
Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
Queensland Firebirds seasons

Players edit

Player movements edit

Gains and losses
  Gains   Losses

Sources:[1][17][18]

2015 roster edit

2015 Queensland Firebirds roster
Players Coaching staff
Nat. Name Position(s) DoB Height
  Romelda Aiken GS, GA (1988-11-19)19 November 1988 (aged 26) 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
  Rebecca Bulley GD, GK, WD (1982-08-18)18 August 1982 (aged 32) 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
  Mahalia Cassidy (TRP) WA, C (1995-10-09)9 October 1995 (aged 19) 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
  Laura Clemesha GK, GD (1992-01-21)21 January 1992 (aged 23) 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
  Beryl Friday GA, GS, WA (1994-01-19)19 January 1994 (aged 21) 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
  Laura Geitz (c) GK, GD (1987-11-04)4 November 1987 (aged 27) 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
  Clare McMeniman (vc) GD, WD (1985-07-11)11 July 1985 (aged 29) 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
  Caitlyn Nevins WA, C (1987-06-01)1 June 1987 (aged 27) 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
  Kim Ravaillion C, WD, WA (1993-07-26)26 July 1993 (aged 21) 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
  Laura Scherian (TRP) WA, C (1988-06-26)26 June 1988 (aged 26) 1.67 m (5 ft 6 in)
  Verity Simmons   WA, C (1991-05-19)19 May 1991 (aged 23) 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
  Gabi Simpson WD, GD, C (1992-10-17)17 October 1992 (aged 22) 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
  Gretel Tippett GA,GS (1993-07-03)3 July 1993 (aged 21) 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
  Amorette Wild GA, GS, WA (1989-08-10)10 August 1989 (aged 25) 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Head coach
Assistant coach
  •   Jenny Brazel

Manager:
Nannette Rigoni

Notes
  • (c) – Captain
  • (cc) – Co-captain
  • (vc) – Vice-captain
  •   – Injury / maternity leave
  • (TRP) – Temporary Replacement Player
Notes

Sources:[1][8][17]

Debutants edit

Milestones edit

Sources:[1]

Gold medallists edit

Rebecca Bulley, Laura Geitz and Kim Ravaillion were all members of the Australia team that won the gold medal at the 2015 Netball World Cup. Geitz also captained Australia during the tournament.[1][21][22]

Constellation Cup edit

On 22 October 2015, during the second test of the 2015 Constellation Cup series against New Zealand, for the first time in the history of the Australia national netball team, five Queensland Firebirds players were on the court at the same time. The five were Laura Geitz, Clare McMeniman, Gretel Tippett, Kim Ravaillion and Gabi Simpson.[23]

Summer Shootout edit

Between 6 and 8 February, New South Wales Swifts hosted the Summer Shootout at Netball Central, Sydney Olympic Park. All ten ANZ Championship teams participated in the three-day tournament. A total of 25 games, consisting of both full length and shortened games consisting of two 15-minute periods, were played over the weekend. Firebirds finished the weekend with four wins and one defeat.[24][25][26][27][28]

Fri 6 Feb Queensland Firebirds 58–44 Mainland Tactix  
6:30pm
Sat 7 Feb Queensland Firebirds 30–17 Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic  
10:00am
Sat 7 Feb Queensland Firebirds 33–26 Southern Steel  
2:30pm
Sat 7 Feb Melbourne Vixens 26–23 Queensland Firebirds  
4:30pm
Sun 8 Feb Queensland Firebirds 46–44 Adelaide Thunderbirds  
10:00am

Regular season edit

Fixtures and results edit

Round 1
Sun 1 March Queensland Firebirds 50 - 57 West Coast Fever Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre  
11:18 AM (AEST) Romelda Aiken   ?
Amy Wild   ? 		Report
 Caitlin Bassett   44
Natalie Medhurst   ?
Round 2
Sun 8 March Central Pulse 46 - 52 Queensland Firebirds Te Rauparaha Arena  
7:10 PM (NZDT) Jodi Brown   27
Irene van Dyk   19 		Report
 Romelda Aiken   37
Amy Wild   15
Round 3
Sun 15 March New South Wales Swifts 47 - 47 Queensland Firebirds Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre  
12.18 PM (AEDT) Susan Pettitt   29/37 (78%)
Caitlin Thwaites   18/22 (82%) 		Report
 Romelda Aiken   36/46 (78%)
Gretel Tippett   11/14 (79%)
Round 4

Queensland Firebirds received a bye.

Round 5
Mon 30 March Queensland Firebirds 51 - 47 New South Wales Swifts Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre  
7:18 PM (AEST) Romelda Aiken   43
Gretel Tippett   ? 		Report
 Susan Pettitt   ?
Caitlin Thwaites   ?
Round 6
Sun 5 April Queensland Firebirds 48 - 46 Adelaide Thunderbirds Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre  
12:18 PM (AEST) Romelda Aiken   26/32 (81%)
Gretel Tippett   22 		Report
Stats 		Carla Borrego   30/32 (94%)
Erin Bell   16 		Attendance: 3,150
Round 7
Sun 12 April Melbourne Vixens 48 - 55 Queensland Firebirds Hisense Arena  
12:18 PM (AEST) Tegan Philip   27/30 (90%)
Karyn Bailey   21/24 (88%) 		Report
 Romelda Aiken   37/46 (80%)
Gretel Tippett   18/26 (69%)
Round 8
Sat 18 April Queensland Firebirds 50 - 42 Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre  
2:18 PM (AEST) Romelda Aiken   40/49 (82%)
Gretel Tippett   10/17 (59%) 		Report
 Joanne Harten   29/34 (85%)
Ellen Halpenny   10/15 (67%)
Malia Paseka   3/6 (50%)
Round 9
Sun 26 April Northern Mystics 47 - 53 Queensland Firebirds The Trusts Arena  
7:10 PM (NZST) Maria Tutaia   28/30 (93%)
Cathrine Latu   15/15 (100%)
Paula Griffin   4 ? 		Report
 Romelda Aiken   42/53 (79%)
Gretel Tippett   11/19 (58%)
Round 10
Fri 1 May West Coast Fever 48 - 56 Queensland Firebirds Perth Arena  
7:18 PM (AWST) Caitlin Bassett   35/39 (90%)
Natalie Medhurst   13/15 (87%) 		Report
 Romelda Aiken   47/57 (82%)
Gretel Tippett   9/18 (50%)
Round 11
Sun 10 May Queensland Firebirds 54 - 45 Melbourne Vixens Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre  
12:18 PM (AEST) Romelda Aiken   38/44 (86%)
Gretel Tippett   16/25 (64%) 		Report
 Tegan Philip   21/25 (84%)
Karyn Bailey   24/30 (80%) 		Attendance: 4,444
Round 12
Sat 16 May Adelaide Thunderbirds 42 - 58 Queensland Firebirds Adelaide Arena  
7:18 PM (ACST) Carla Borrego   40
Erin Bell   18 		Report
 Romelda Aiken   26
Gretel Tippett   16 		Attendance: 5,000
Round 13
Sun 24 May Mainland Tactix 43 - 68 Queensland Firebirds Marlborough Lines Stadium, Blenheim  
7:10 PM (NZST) Mwai Kumwenda   22/25 (88%)
Bailey Mes   21/25 (84%) 		Report
 Romelda Aiken   52/67 (78%)
Gretel Tippett   10/17 (59%)
Amy Wild   6/9 (67%)
Round 14
Sun 31 May Queensland Firebirds 66 - 50 Southern Steel Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre  
2:18 PM (AEST) Romelda Aiken   49/60 (82%)
Gretel Tippett   17/29 (59%) 		Report
 Jhaniele Fowler-Reid   29/36 (81%)
Te Paea Selby-Rickit   17/24 (71%)
Brooke Leaver   4/4 (100%)

Source:[29]

Final standings edit

2015 Australian Conference
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA G% Pts
1   Queensland Firebirds 13 11 1 1 708 608 116.4% 23
2   New South Wales Swifts 13 8 3 2 746 665 112.2% 19
3   West Coast Fever 13 9 1 3 744 701 106.1% 19
4   Melbourne Vixens 13 7 0 6 670 657 102.0% 14
5   Adelaide Thunderbirds 13 4 2 7 667 682 97.8% 10
2015 New Zealand Conference
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA G% Pts
1   Northern Mystics 13 7 2 4 682 695 98.1% 16
2   Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic 13 5 1 7 643 663 97.0% 11
3   Southern Steel 13 3 2 8 759 775 97.9% 8
4   Central Pulse 13 3 2 8 620 656 94.5% 8
5   Mainland Tactix 13 1 0 12 664 801 82.9% 2

  Qualified for Conference finals
  Qualified for Elimination finals

  • Pld = Games played
  • W = Win (2 points)
  • D = Draw (1 points)
  • L = Loss (0 points)
  • GF = Goals For
  • GA = Goals Against
  • G% = Goal percentage (= 100 × GF/GA)
  • Pts = Points

Sources:[30]


Challenge Trophy edit

The 2015 season saw the introduction of the Ranfurly Shield-style, Challenge Trophy. The trophy was available to win every time the holder played at home. Once a visiting team defeats the title holders, the trophy is theirs to protect and hold against all challengers in every home game during the regular season until they are beaten. A pre-season draw saw West Coast Fever declared the inaugural holder. Fever subsequently enjoyed a nine-game unbeaten run in the league. They retained the Challenge Trophy until Round 10 when they were defeated 56–48 by Queensland Firebirds.[20][31][32] Firebirds defended the trophy in Round 11 against Melbourne Vixens and in Round 14 against Southern Steel, finishing the season as trophy holders.[1][2][31][33]

Round Holders Score Challengers
Round 10[20][32] West Coast Fever 48–56 Queensland Firebirds
Round 11 Queensland Firebirds 54–45 Melbourne Vixens
Round 14 Queensland Firebirds 66–50 Southern Steel

Source:[31]

Finals edit

Conference Final edit

Sun 7 June
12:18 PM (AEST)
Stats 		Queensland Firebirds 55–44 New South Wales Swifts    Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Attendance: 5,175
Romelda Aiken   36/39 (92%)
Gretel Tippett   ? 		Susan Pettitt   ?
Caitlin Thwaites   17/21 (81%)
Stephanie Wood   ?

Source:[34][35]

Semi-finals edit

Sun 14 June
12:18 PM (AEST)
Stats 		Queensland Firebirds 60–44 Northern Mystics    Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
Attendance: 3,200
Romelda Aiken   42/48 (88%)
Gretel Tippett   18/27 (67%) 		Maria Tutaia   24/33 (73%)
Cathrine Latu   17/18 (94%)
Paula Griffin   3 ?

Source:[36][37][38]

Grand Final edit

Sun 21 June
12:10 PM (AEST)
Stats 		Queensland Firebirds 57–56 New South Wales Swifts    Brisbane Entertainment Centre Fox Sports
Sky Sport
Romelda Aiken   47/51 (92%)
Gretel Tippett   10/17 (59%) 		Susan Pettitt   26/28 (93%)
Caitlin Thwaites   30/34 (88%)

Source:[3][4][5][6][7][8]

Award winners edit

Mission Queensland Firebirds Awards edit

Award Winner
Mission Foods Player of the Year   Romelda Aiken (Note 1)
Mission Foods Player of the Year   Kim Ravaillion (Note 1)
Firebirds Players' Player   Clare McMeniman
Firebirds Spirit Award   Laura Clemesha
Firebirds Members Award   Gabi Simpson
Notes

Sources:[1][39]

ANZ Championship awards edit

Award Winner
ANZ Championship MVP Australian Conference   Romelda Aiken[40][41]

All Star Team edit

Position Player
C   Kim Ravaillion[2][42][43][44]

Australian Netball Awards edit

Award Winner
Australian ANZ Championship Coach of the Year Roselee Jencke[45][46][47][48]

Gallery edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2015 Queensland Firebirds season.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "2015 Netball Queensland Annual Report" (PDF). Netball Queensland. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 October 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "Firebirds fine with All-Star netball snub". www.sbs.com.au. 18 June 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Queensland Firebirds crowned ANZ Champions in a last minute thriller". www.theroar.com.au. 21 June 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Netball: Firebirds win thrilling grand final". www.nzherald.co.nz. 21 June 2015. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Firebirds' stunning ANZ Championship win". www.brisbanetimes.com.au. 21 June 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Netball Grand Final: Firebirds deliver gut-wrenching defeat to super Swifts". www.theguardian.com. 21 June 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  7. ^ a b "ANZ Championship Grand Final: Queensland Firebirds defeat NSW Swifts, crowned 2015 champions". www.foxsports.com.au. 21 June 2015. Archived from the original on 15 April 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  8. ^ a b c "Memorable Matches: Firebirds defeat Swifts in 2015 ANZ Championship Grand Final". netball.draftcentral.com.au. 29 June 2020. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  9. ^ "Queensland Firebirds sign Australian defender Rebecca Bulley to add muscle to a strong backcourt". www.perthnow.com.au. 21 August 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  10. ^ "ANZ Championship: Rebecca Bulley brings the 'animal' to Queensland Firebirds". www.couriermail.com.au. 12 December 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  11. ^ "Beryl Friday joins Queensland Firebirds from Ingham". www.adelaidenow.com.au. 22 August 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  12. ^ "Strachan becomes a Firebird". www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au. 23 July 2014. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  13. ^ "Central Pulse import Jacinta Messer loving life her new team". www.stuff.co.nz. 1 April 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  14. ^ "Netball Victoria – Annual Report 2015" (PDF). vic.netball.com.au. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  15. ^ "Ameliaranne Wells leaves Queensland Firebirds to join Central Pulse for next netball season". www.abc.net.au. 11 August 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  16. ^ "Shift across the ditch pays off for Ameliaranne Wells". www.couriermail.com.au. 23 October 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  17. ^ a b "ANZ Championships: Key player transfers in the Trans-Tasman league". www.skysports.com. 10 September 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  18. ^ "Netball Queensland – Annual Report 2014" (PDF). Netball Queensland. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  19. ^ "Queensland Firebirds beat NSW Swifts 51-47 to mark Laura Geitz's 100th game in trans-Tasman netball". www.abc.net.au. 30 March 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  20. ^ a b c "Netball: Romelda Aiken scores 4000th league goal as Firebirds take control of title race". www.adelaidenow.com.au. 1 May 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  21. ^ "Women Netball XIV World Championship 2015 Sydney". www.todor66.com. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  22. ^ "Australia at the Netball World Cup" (PDF). Netball Australia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  23. ^ "Constellation Cup: Diamonds take 2-0 series lead after downing New Zealand in Auckland". www.dailytelegraph.com.au. 22 October 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  24. ^ "Pre-Season". www.anz-championship.com. Archived from the original on 30 June 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  25. ^ "Sydney to host ANZ Championship Summer Shootout". www.netballnz.co.nz. 26 November 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  26. ^ "Trans-Tasman shootout at new netball venue". www.sbs.com.au. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  27. ^ "Southern Steel edge Adelaide Thunderbirds in pre-season Summer Shootout in Sydney". www.stuff.co.nz. 7 February 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  28. ^ "Swifts end summer shootout on a high". www.womensportreport.com. 8 February 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  29. ^ "ANZ Championship 2015 – Results". www.flashscore.com. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  30. ^ "ANZ Championship 2015 – Standings". www.flashscore.com. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  31. ^ a b c "Challenge Trophy". www.anz-championship.com. Archived from the original on 29 June 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  32. ^ a b "Fever Suffers First Defeat for 2015". wais.org.au. 7 May 2015. Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  33. ^ "Netball: Queensland Firebirds to unleash double trouble on Melbourne Vixens in Challenge Cup". www.couriermail.com.au. 8 May 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  34. ^ "Queensland Firebirds beat NSW Swifts 55-44 in trans-Tasman netball Australian conference final". www.abc.net.au. 7 June 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  35. ^ "ANZ Championship: Firebirds crowned best in Australia as Swifts prove no match". www.perthnow.com.au. 7 June 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  36. ^ "Queensland Firebirds beat Northern Mystics in trans-Tasman netball to secure Boondall grand final". www.abc.net.au. 14 June 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  37. ^ "Queensland Firebirds thump Northern Mystics to book trans-Tasman netball final berth". www.stuff.co.nz. 14 June 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  38. ^ "Queensland Firebirds beat Northern Mystics in ANZ Championship semi-final in Brisbane". www.adelaidenow.com.au. 17 June 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  39. ^ "Brisbane parade caps an amazing week for Firebirds". www.dailymercury.com.au. 28 June 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  40. ^ "Queensland Firebirds' Romelda Aiken claims third MVP award". www.smh.com.au. 5 June 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  41. ^ "Aiken, Fowler-Reid named winners of Conference MVP awards". www.scoop.co.nz. 5 June 2015. Archived from the original on 11 February 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  42. ^ "ANZ Championship All-Star Team announced". www.netballnz.co.nz. 18 June 2015. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  43. ^ "West Coast Fever's Stacey Rosman named All-Star team coach". www.perthnow.com.au. 18 June 2015. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  44. ^ "(2015) All-Star". www.anz-championship.com. Archived from the original on 29 June 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  45. ^ "Caitlin Bassett wins Liz Ellis Diamond as Australian netballer of the year". www.abc.net.au. 7 November 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  46. ^ "Shooter Caitlin Bassett wins Liz Ellis Diamond". www.smh.com.au. 8 November 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  47. ^ "Australian Netball Awards". netball.com.au. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  48. ^ "Netball Australia – Directors Report 2015" (PDF). netball.com.au. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2015_Queensland_Firebirds_season&oldid=1141980205"