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

Players

Player movements
Gains and losses
Increase GainsDecrease Losses

Sources:[1][17][18]

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

Manager:
Nannette Rigoni

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

Sources:[1][8][17]

Debutants

Milestones

Sources:[1]

Gold medallists

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

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

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

Fixtures and results
Round 1
Sun 1 March Queensland Firebirds 50 - 57 West Coast Fever Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre  
11:18 AM (AEST) Romelda Aiken Goals scored ?
Amy Wild Goals scored ?		 Report
 Caitlin Bassett Goals scored 44
Natalie Medhurst Goals scored ?
Round 2
Sun 8 March Central Pulse 46 - 52 Queensland Firebirds Te Rauparaha Arena  
7:10 PM (NZDT) Jodi Brown Goals scored 27
Irene van Dyk Goals scored 19		 Report
 Romelda Aiken Goals scored 37
Amy Wild Goals scored 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 Goals scored 29/37 (78%)
Caitlin Thwaites Goals scored 18/22 (82%)		 Report
 Romelda Aiken Goals scored 36/46 (78%)
Gretel Tippett Goals scored 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 Goals scored 43
Gretel Tippett Goals scored ?		 Report
 Susan Pettitt Goals scored ?
Caitlin Thwaites Goals scored ?
Round 6
Sun 5 April Queensland Firebirds 48 - 46 Adelaide Thunderbirds Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre  
12:18 PM (AEST) Romelda Aiken Goals scored 26/32 (81%)
Gretel Tippett Goals scored 22 		Report
Stats		 Carla Borrego Goals scored 30/32 (94%)
Erin Bell Goals scored 16		 Attendance: 3,150
Round 7
Sun 12 April Melbourne Vixens 48 - 55 Queensland Firebirds Hisense Arena  
12:18 PM (AEST) Tegan Philip Goals scored 27/30 (90%)
Karyn Bailey Goals scored 21/24 (88%)		 Report
 Romelda Aiken Goals scored 37/46 (80%)
Gretel Tippett Goals scored 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 Goals scored 40/49 (82%)
Gretel Tippett Goals scored 10/17 (59%)		 Report
 Joanne Harten Goals scored 29/34 (85%)
Ellen Halpenny Goals scored 10/15 (67%)
Malia Paseka Goals scored 3/6 (50%)
Round 9
Sun 26 April Northern Mystics 47 - 53 Queensland Firebirds The Trusts Arena  
7:10 PM (NZST) Maria Tutaia Goals scored 28/30 (93%)
Cathrine Latu Goals scored 15/15 (100%)
Paula Griffin Goals scored 4 ?		 Report
 Romelda Aiken Goals scored 42/53 (79%)
Gretel Tippett Goals scored 11/19 (58%)
Round 10
Fri 1 May West Coast Fever 48 - 56 Queensland Firebirds Perth Arena  
7:18 PM (AWST) Caitlin Bassett Goals scored 35/39 (90%)
Natalie Medhurst Goals scored 13/15 (87%)		 Report
 Romelda Aiken Goals scored 47/57 (82%)
Gretel Tippett Goals scored 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 Goals scored 38/44 (86%)
Gretel Tippett Goals scored 16/25 (64%)		 Report
 Tegan Philip Goals scored 21/25 (84%)
Karyn Bailey Goals scored 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 Goals scored 40
Erin Bell Goals scored 18		 Report
 Romelda Aiken Goals scored 26
Gretel Tippett Goals scored 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 Goals scored 22/25 (88%)
Bailey Mes Goals scored 21/25 (84%)		 Report
 Romelda Aiken Goals scored 52/67 (78%)
Gretel Tippett Goals scored 10/17 (59%)
Amy Wild Goals scored 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 Goals scored 49/60 (82%)
Gretel Tippett Goals scored 17/29 (59%)		 Report
 Jhaniele Fowler-Reid Goals scored 29/36 (81%)
Te Paea Selby-Rickit Goals scored 17/24 (71%)
Brooke Leaver Goals scored 4/4 (100%)

Source:[29]

Final standings
2015 Australian Conference
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA G% Pts
1 Queensland Firebirds 131111708608116.4%23
2 New South Wales Swifts 13832746665112.2%19
3 West Coast Fever 13913744701106.1%19
4 Melbourne Vixens 13706670657102.0%14
5 Adelaide Thunderbirds 1342766768297.8%10
2015 New Zealand Conference
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA G% Pts
1 Northern Mystics 1372468269598.1%16
2 Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic 1351764366397.0%11
3 Southern Steel 1332875977597.9%8
4 Central Pulse 1332862065694.5%8
5 Mainland Tactix 13101266480182.9%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

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 Fever48–56Queensland Firebirds
Round 11Queensland Firebirds54–45Melbourne Vixens
Round 14Queensland Firebirds66–50Southern Steel

Source:[31]

Finals

Conference Final
Sun 7 June
12:18 PM (AEST)
Stats		 Queensland Firebirds55–44New South Wales Swifts    Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Attendance: 5,175
Romelda Aiken Goals scored 36/39 (92%)
Gretel Tippett Goals scored ?		 Susan Pettitt Goals scored ?
Caitlin Thwaites Goals scored 17/21 (81%)
Stephanie Wood Goals scored ?

Source:[34][35]

Semi-finals
Sun 14 June
12:18 PM (AEST)
Stats		 Queensland Firebirds60–44Northern Mystics    Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
Attendance: 3,200
Romelda Aiken Goals scored 42/48 (88%)
Gretel Tippett Goals scored 18/27 (67%)		 Maria Tutaia Goals scored 24/33 (73%)
Cathrine Latu Goals scored 17/18 (94%)
Paula Griffin Goals scored 3 ?

Source:[36][37][38]

Grand Final
Sun 21 June
12:10 PM (AEST)
Stats		 Queensland Firebirds57–56New South Wales Swifts    Brisbane Entertainment Centre Fox Sports
Sky Sport
Romelda Aiken Goals scored 47/51 (92%)
Gretel Tippett Goals scored 10/17 (59%)		 Susan Pettitt Goals scored 26/28 (93%)
Caitlin Thwaites Goals scored 30/34 (88%)

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

Award winners

Mission Queensland Firebirds Awards
Award Winner
Mission Foods Player of the YearJamaica Romelda Aiken (Note 1)
Mission Foods Player of the YearAustralia Kim Ravaillion (Note 1)
Firebirds Players' PlayerAustralia Clare McMeniman
Firebirds Spirit AwardAustralia Laura Clemesha
Firebirds Members AwardAustralia Gabi Simpson
Notes

Sources:[1][39]

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

All Star Team
Position Player
CAustralia Kim Ravaillion[2][42][43][44]

Australian Netball Awards
Award Winner
Australian ANZ Championship Coach of the YearRoselee Jencke[45][46][47][48]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2015 Queensland Firebirds season.

References
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