Queensland Firebirds keep the faith with coach Kiri Wills despite fighting to avoid Super Netball’s wooden spoon

The woman referred to as a ‘netball nerd’ by her Queensland Firebirds’ players, and from whom she has full backing, will extend her stay as coach to continue the club’s rebuild.

The journey from mediocrity to greatness won’t be without its bumps but Queensland Firebirds coach Kiri Wills has set a course for her team to follow in a bid to reclaim its position as a netball heavyweight.

Wills arrived in Brisbane with a two-year contract and a mission at the start of the year – to return the club to the Super Netball finals.

Despite a solid start, with back-to-back wins that had many hoping the club had regained its mojo, the Firebirds are on the bottom of the ladder, facing a massive job in the last three rounds to avoid the wooden spoon.

Despite that, the club has seen enough in Wills, and the changes she has made, to hand her a one-year extension as the club embarks on a rebuild of its culture and program.

Firebirds head coach Kiri Wills has received a one-year extension. Picture: Mark Kolbe Photography/Getty Images

The woman referred to as a “netball nerd” by her team has the full backing of players who are frustrated that the steps they feel they have made are not translating to success on court.

“Kiz (Wills) has come into this club and provided the stability,” midcourter Lara Dunkley said.

“She’s shown us what it takes to be a big team and a big club and work together and communicate with each other, and do all these things off the court – and her knowledge on the court is amazing too.

“She’s an expert in netball. We call her the netball nerd – but it’s exciting for the club because we are having someone come in and Kiz is doing a great job.”

Firebirds head coach Kiri Wills and Lara Dunkley watch on from the bench. Picture: Mark Kolbe Photography/Getty Images

Wills appreciates the fact the club has seemingly gone out on a limb to extend her contract into what could be an expanded competition in 2027 after on-court struggles in her first year.

“When you’re not winning games as a head coach, it’s a pretty big punt for the club to take but I’m just really pleased that they’ve shown some support of me and the work that we’ve done as a group,” Wills said.

“This group is coachable, like they work. Every group does but I’ve walked in here and this is such a coachable group and they have responded really well.”

The Firebirds have just four players contracted for next season though – imports Mary Cholhok and Imogen Allison, captain Ruby Bakewell-Doran and midcourter Macy Gardner.

Ruby Bakewell-Doran is one of just four contracted Firebirds’ players for next season. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images

“I think part of the instability piece is because we are trying to lay a foundation and we’re not quite where we want to be,” Wills said when asked if the playing group was on eggshells given more than half are off contract in three games’ time.

“But if we play like we played that second quarter (against the Mavericks) for the rest of the season, we will win games.”

Dunkley said winning would be a positive way to round out the season.

Regardless though, she felt the Firebirds were “in safe hands” with Wills.

“It’s not the season that she wants, and it’s not the season anyone wants, but it’s about putting in the effort every day, making ourselves better over and over again and hopefully, winning games,” Dunkley said.

“It’d be good to finish off on a high and we try so hard – and we do it together as a group – but I think (the future is) exciting for Kiz and the club because we’re in safe hands and we’ve got someone here that you know cares so much about us and about the success here at the Firebirds.”

Originally published as Queensland Firebirds keep the faith with coach Kiri Wills despite fighting to avoid Super Netball’s wooden spoon