Firebirds v Swifts: Gabi Simpson putting World Cup snub behind her
Having missed out on the Diamonds World Cup squad, Firebirds star Gabi Simpson is determined to help get her team firing against the ladder-leading NSW Swifts.
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Gabi Simpson has been overwhelmed by the love and support from the Firebirds and wider Queensland netball community following her shock omission from Australia’s World Cup squad.
And the Firebirds captain is keen to repay the faith by leading her side to a breakthrough victory over the top-of-the-table NSW Swifts at the Queensland State Netball Centre on Sunday.
The injury-hit Firebirds are winless and last on the ladder after six rounds of the 2019 Super Netball season and suffered another jolt when their inspirational skipper was left out of the Diamonds side for next month’s Netball World Cup in Liverpool.
Simpson had been Diamonds vice-captain since 2017 and had played 40 Tests since 2015.
After more than a week of soul searching since the shattering World Cup blow, Simpson’s first priority is to get Queensland firing again.
“I will do everything I can to get myself back in that Diamonds team but the focus for me right now is allowing myself to heal and play really passionate, heartful netball for the Firebirds because that’s when I’m at my best,’’ Simpson said.
“The Diamonds is the hardest team in the world to get into so every girl that makes it, deserves it. I’d love nothing more than for them to win the gold medal at the World Cup.
“I’m especially happy for Gretel Tippett. She is playing the best netball of her life and absolutely deserves to be going away with the Diamonds.
“Seeing the Vixens girls play last weekend and watching their players who missed out on the Diamonds just play their hearts out was a big turning point for me. It was really inspiring.
“I’ve been so grateful for the people around me. The Firebirds have just wrapped their arms around me and the fans have been incredible.’’
Simpson was a driving force for the Firebirds when they snatched a 62-all draw with the West Coast Fever last Saturday and she feels like Queensland’s first win of 2019 is just around the corner.
“We know it is right there. Losing is hard and it’s frustrating and we are doing everything we can to get that win,’’ she said.
“We are all very competitive people so you can get caught up in that mindset of you mustn’t be playing well if you are losing but we feel like we have been playing well and building.
“We’ve faced a lot of adversity as a group but it has galvanised us. The girls are stepping up and showing some great leadership so that Firebirds spirit is still there and we’ll keep fighting.’’
South African duo Erin Burger and Lenize Potgeiter will play for the Firebirds on Sunday while Romelda Aiken (leg stress fracture) is still sidelined.
Originally published as Firebirds v Swifts: Gabi Simpson putting World Cup snub behind her
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