Super Netball: Firebird right at home for Vixens clash

North Queensland product Kim Jenner says the opportunity to represent the state’s premier netball team in her home region was an unexpected one, but she will be grabbing it with both hands.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 18: Kim Jenner of the Firebirds controls the ball under pressure from Tayla Fraser of the Swifts during the round five Super Netball match between the Queensland Firebirds and the NSW Swifts at Nissan Arena on August 18, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

North Queensland product Kim Jenner says the opportunity to represent the state’s premier netball team in her home region was an unexpected one, but she will be grabbing it with both hands.

The former Townsville junior can’t wait to play a Super Netball fixture close to home when her Queensland Firebirds take on the ladder-leading Melbourne Vixens in Cairns on Sunday.

“I grew up in Townsville, played all of my netball in Townsville and fell in love with netball in Townsville, so it’s so great to go back up north and to play there again,” she said.

“My parents are going to drive up from Townsville, so they’ll be there and that will be really special to have them in the crowd.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 11: Kim Jenner of the Firebirds warms up before the round three Super Netball match between the Queensland Firebirds and the Collingwood Magpies at Nissan Arena on August 11, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)

“They’ve flown down to Brisbane a few times this season — we’re lucky enough that we’re in the same state, so the restrictions haven’t been there — but they definitely haven’t been able to get to as many games as they’d like with everything going on.”

The dynamic defender said she regularly made the trip up the Bruce Highway as a teenager and had fond memories of playing representative netball in the Far North.

“My parents were amazing and drove me all around, so I would have played a few games up in Cairns,” she said.

“It’s cool to be able to go back and relive that.”

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While it will be a return — of sorts — for Jenner, she said her focus would be on getting a win for her Firebirds.

She said the team still had plenty to play for in the last two rounds, despite being out of the finals race.

“We love to play those top teams and challenge ourselves against the best,” she said.

“It’s going to be an exciting game and I think both teams are going to leave everything out there on the court.”

Firebirds players Kim Jenner, Lara Dunkley and Rudi Ellis at Howard Smith Wharves, Brisbane. Pics Tara Croser.

The Firebirds will be keen to celebrate Indigenous Round with a win for midcourter Jemma Mi Mi — the only Indigenous player in the Super Netball competition — after she missed the special round in 2018 with an ankle injury and the Firebirds were defeated in last year’s Indigenous Round clash against the Vixens 71-60.

“It’s important to reflect on the contribution that Indigenous culture has brought to both netball and the community,” Jenner said.

“It’s a really special round and, particularly having Jemma in our team, we’re definitely going to go out there and try and make everyone proud.”

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 02: Jemma Mi Mi of the Firebirds looks to pass during the round nine Super Netball match between the Queensland Firebirds and the West Coast Fever at Nissan Arena on September 02, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

SUPER WEEKEND IN CAIRNS

Three Super Netball games will be played at the new Cairns Pop-Up Arena, on the corner of Fearnley and Spence streets, this weekend. Teams will wear specially designed dresses to celebrate Indigenous round.

Saturday

1pm: West Coast Fever v Giants

3pm: Adelaide Thunderbirds v NSW Swifts

Sunday

1pm: Melbourne Vixens v Queensland Firebirds

Originally published as Super Netball: Firebird right at home for Vixens clash