How Queensland Firebirds co-captain Ruby Bakewell-Doran is balancing role as leader and friend through Remi Kamo saga
She’s championing the changes made by the Queensland Firebirds, leading on and off court, while making sure her great mate knows she’s got her back. Welcome to the world of Ruby Bakewell-Doran.
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Firebirds captain Ruby Bakewell-Doran has opened up about her decision to publicly support Remi Kamo after her former teammate’s raw social media post last week.
Bakewell-Doran has been in stellar form to start the season, the defender likely to be pushing for a return to the Diamonds squad when it’s announced later this season.
But just as impressive is the way she’s navigating duel roles as Firebirds leader as the club makes significant cultural and on-court changes, and ally to Kamo, her longtime friend and former defensive partner at the Queensland Super Netball club.
Kamo, who made her debut for the Northern Stars in New Zealand’s ANZ Premiership at the weekend, released a statement and social media post last week detailing her issues with Netball Australia’s independent investigation into her claims of “bullying in an unsafe environment” during her time at the Firebirds.
The statement, also released as a social media post that Bakewell-Doran commented on, said the investigation’s findings that no NA policies were breached, meant her “calls for help fell on disinterested ears”.
Speaking on Fox Netball’s Pivot program, Bakewell-Doran opened up about the Kamo affair and how it was affecting the team.
“I think that two things can be true: that we had a really tough season last year – and there were things that needed to be changed and have been; and that Remi is a really good friend of mine, and I support her very much,” Bakewell-Doran said.
“We experienced a lot together in those last few years and I just feel like it’s really important for her to know that I will always have her back no matter what.”
Kamo and the Australian Netball Players Association released statements last week, with the ANPA formally requesting an independent review of the investigation into Kamo’s complaint “to assess whether the process met the required standards of fairness and rigour”.
It could have been seen as a distraction for the Firebirds, who were preparing for a crucial match against defending premiers the Adelaide Thunderbirds – Bakewell-Doran’s 50th in Super Netball – on Saturday night, a game they ultimately lost.
But Bakewell-Doran, who commented: “Beautifully said Rem. So incredibly proud of your strength” on Kamo’s post last week said the majority of this season’s Firebirds team was not present for “anything that happened in previous years”.
“So I think for them, it was just business as usual and it was trying to keep that sense among the team as well,” Bakewell-Doran said.
“And in the background, still supporting my friend. Remi is a great friend of mine and we’ve been playing netball for so many years together, so yes, I have her back and support her – and get my club ready and my team ready for a game.”
Kamo and Bakewell-Doran played together for several years for Queensland state league side Brisbane North Cougars before joining forces at the Firebirds in 2023 where they formed a formidable partnership in the defensive circle.
Bakewell-Doran lost that partner after Kamo’s contract was not renewed at the end of last season but the 26-year-old has managed an incredible tightrope walk to become the Firebirds captain, championing the changed culture at the club while still supporting her friend.
“I think the club took a very long, hard look at itself last year and realised that there was just a lot of things that needed to change,” Bakewell-Doran told this masthead.
“And I think we’re really lucky in our leadership that they’ve been doing from the top down and it’s already made a massive impact, I think, on us as players and staff.
“There’s just a really good feeling, really professional feeling, at the club and a connectedness as well.”
After winning their first two matches of the season, the Firebirds have had three losses on the trot, including Saturday’s heartbreaker to the Thunderbirds, which pushed them out of the top four.
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Originally published as How Queensland Firebirds co-captain Ruby Bakewell-Doran is balancing role as leader and friend through Remi Kamo saga
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