Firebirds coach Bec Bulley axed as side struggles to put performances together in Super Netball
Queensland Firebirds coach Bec Bulley has been axed by the club after players staged a mutiny.
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Queensland Firebirds coach Bec Bulley has been axed by the club after players staged a mutiny.
It is just the latest in a long line of coaching issues for the struggling side.
A statement issued by the club said the move is effective immediately.
Assistant coach Lauren Brown will fill in as caretaker coach for Sunday’s clash with the Mavericks.
Bulley was less than halfway through the four-year contract she signed in July 2022.
The move follows another season of poor on-court results for the Firebirds who have won just two of their nine games this season.
It has been reported Firebirds players lodged concerns with the Australian Netball Players’ Association (ANPA) which played a part in Netball Queensland making the decision to remove Bulley from the top job.
Netball Queensland chief executive Kate Davies said it was not an easy decision.
“Bec has worked tirelessly since her appointment in July 2022 to foster a positive culture at the club and has helped forge strong links to our club’s past champions,” the statement read.
“It is a legacy she should be extremely proud of.
“With Bec’s passion, experience and work ethic, I am certain she has a bright future in the sport.
“The timing of Bec’s departure is right for her and her family and our focus is supporting her, along with our staff and members of the playing group.”
The club said any longer-term decisions on coaching arrangements would be made at a “future date”.
Bulley isn’t the first coach to leave the club with assistant coach Sara Francis-Bayman handing in her whistle a week before the competition started in 2023 after a falling out with Bulley.
She ended up across the country with West Coast Fever – who sit second on the ladder.
Firebirds have faced plenty of criticism this season with players lacking the flair fans are accustomed too.
Diamonds defender Ruby Bakewell-Doran missed this year’s squad – most likely due to her being off the pace this Super Netball season.
While Donnell Wallam hasn’t had her usual composure under the post.
Firebirds, who have won three Super Netball titles, haven’t played finals for the past six years.
Longstanding coach Roselee Jencke was the club’s longest serving coach- taking the helm from 2009-2020.
Megan Anderson took over in 2020 but resigned in 2022 but was unable to get the team into winning form.
Bulley took over in 2022 and was full of confidence about getting the Queensland outfit back in the finals – but has failed to deliver.
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