Super Netball: Firebirds facing exodus as Netball Queensland chief executive hosed talk of a ‘mutiny’ after coach axed
Talks of a ‘mutiny’ after Bec Bulley was sacked as Queensland Firebirds coach have been ‘categorically’ denied by the Netball Queensland chief executive. EMMA GREENWOOD reports.
The Queensland Firebirds are working overtime to ensure a new head coach is in place by the start of the free agency period with half their list off contract at the end of what is shaping as a horror season.
The club axed rookie coach Bec Bulley on Thursday night, less than two years into her four-year deal after player discontent, although Netball Queensland chief executive Kate Davies hosed down talk of a “mutiny”.
“I can confirm reports about a player mutiny are categorically false,” Davies said.
Certainly the Australian Netball Players Association (ANPA) became involved and it’s fair to say Bulley had lost the dressing room after significant team bonding attempts in the pre-season after robust player feedback.
But talk that the athletes had threatened not to play if Bulley remained in her position and had asked their managers to lean on the club, are said to be flat-out wrong.
“Everyone at the club is reacting as best they can,” Davies said.
“The club and Bec Bulley came to a mutual agreement to part ways and we thank Bec very much for her hard work and commitment during her tenure.”
There’s no question there’s angst over their continued struggles though.
Despite a strong opening – the Firebirds missed the pre-season Team Girls Cup final on goal average and opened the season proper with a single-goal loss to defending premiers Adelaide Thunderbirds, a win over the Giants and a heartbreaking extra-time loss to the NSW Swifts – the Birdies have won just twice this year and with games against the finals-bound Vixens, Fever and Lightning on the run home, they could struggle to get another victory.
It will leave a sour taste in the mouths of the players, who had all been confident of a return to the playoffs this year.
There had been rumblings about player discontent with Bulley in the off-season and a source told this masthead players had been ready to push the club on whether she was the right fit then, before ultimately backing down.
Certainly, the decision to install an untested head coach on a four-year contract needs to be examined, as does the lack of significant experienced supports around her.
Netball Queensland (NQ) was unwilling to disclose whether Bulley’s contract had been paid out, although with more than two years remaining on the deal, that seems unlikely.
But the culture of throwing untested mentors into the deep end – as also happened with Megan Anderson (now McWilliams) – has to be rethought if the Firebirds are to become a Super Netball force.
Certainly, their recent history makes the job of re-signing their off contract stars – or attracting any other high-profile players – difficult.
Among those whose deals end this season is Diamonds goaler Donnell Wallam, who is likely to be in high demand after other events this week cranked up what is likely to be a roundabout of shooting talent in the off-season.
Captain Kim Ravaillion, whose court time has been curtailed after off-season back surgery, defenders Remi Kamo and rookie Izzy Shearer and midcourter Hulita Veve, were also contracted only for the 2024 season during the last signing period.
The NSW Swifts’ axing of Sam Wallace-Joseph on Thursday – officially a parting by “mutual agreement” – leaves the club without a third goaler heading into 2025 and Wallam would be among the candidates to step in for her fellow holding shooter.
Former Firebird Romelda Aiken-George could also be considered, especially if the veteran was content to be a role player with Sophie Fawns likely to be getting more court time, with Wallam then becoming a target of the Thunderbirds.
Either way, it’s hard to see the Western Australian, who conceded earlier this season she had been in a funk, keen to stay in Queensland unless the coaching situation is mended quickly.
Davies said longer-term decisions “will be made soon and when we have more information to share we will”.
Former Firebird and Bulley’s assistant Lauren Brown will take the reins for Sunday’s clash against the Mavericks in Melbourne, while former coach and Netball Queensland’s head of elite netball Roselee Jencke is expected to lend support as she did a few weeks ago when Bulley was absent due to a family bereavement.
If not for most players in the competition having signed two to three-year deals in the last contracting period, the Firebirds could be facing an exodus at the end of the year.
Winning is the way to turn things around and certainly the players have to take some of the responsibility for that.
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