The Firebirds Futures are an Australian netball team that represents Netball Queensland in the Australian Netball Championships. Between 2008 and 2019, as Queensland Fusion, they played in the Australian Netball League. From 2020 to 2022, the team was known as the Queensland Sapphires. The Firebirds Futures are effectively the reserve team of Queensland Firebirds and the representative team of the HART Sapphire Series.
History Queensland Fusion Between 2008 and 2019, Queensland Fusion played in the Australian Netball League. They were founder members of the ANL. Their best performance in the ANL came in 2014 when they reached the grand final but lost 51–49 to Victorian Fury.
Regular season statistics Season Position Won Drawn Lost2008 20093rd7032010 20114th 2012 20136th 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Queensland Sapphires In 2021, Queensland Fusion were re-branded Queensland Sapphires after the HART Sapphire Series. In September 2021, they were due to represent Netball Queensland in the inaugural Australian Netball Championships tournament. However, this tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sapphires subsequently played in a four team series, playing against Sunshine Coast Lightning's ANC team, the Queensland Suns men's netball team and PacificAus Sports, a Pacific Islander select.
Grand finals Season Winners Score Runners up Venue2014Victorian Fury51–49Queensland FusionWaverley Netball Centre
Home venue During the 2019 ANL season, Queensland Fusion played their home matches at the Queensland State Netball Centre.
Notable players 2021 squad
Internationals
Demelza Fellowes Cara Koenen Laura Scherian Gretel Tippett Stephanie Wood
Verity Simmons
Simone Nalatu
Ameliaranne Wells
Maleta Roberts
Lenora Misa
Queensland Firebirds Mahalia Cassidy Laura Clemesha Tippah Dwan Demelza Fellowes Beryl Friday Macy Gardner Michelle Hess Tara Hinchliffe Abigail Latu-Meafou Amanda Lucas Simone Nalatu Jennifer O'Connor Meegan Rooney Jacqui Russell Laura Scherian Verity Simmons Gretel Tippett Katie Walker Ameliaranne Wells
Sunshine Coast Lightning Cara Koenen Madeline McAuliffe Jacqui Russell Laura Scherian Stephanie Wood
Head coaches Coach YearsKylee Sampson2009Kylee Byrne2012, 2014Tracey Jeanes-Fraser2017Jenny Brazel2011, 2015, 2020Katie Walker2021
Premierships Australian Netball League Runners up: 2014: 1
References