Super Netball: Three crucial games for Firebird Ruby Bakewell-Doran’s World Cup dream
In just her second season Firebirds defender Ruby Bakewell-Doran is on the verge of making her World Cup debut – but the next three weeks could make or break her dream.
Netball
Don't miss out on the headlines from Netball. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The next three weeks are crucial for the struggling Firebirds’ but they could also make or break Ruby Bakewell-Doran’s chance of wearing the green and gold at the World Cup.
It is the third time the young defender has been named in an extended Diamonds squad – an impressive feat considering it is just her second Super Netball season.
She pulled on the dress for the Constellation Cup, against New Zealand last year, getting court time in two of the matches.
With six defenders making the extended World Cup squad list and just four set to earn a ticket to South Africa in July Bakewell-Doran knows she needs to prove to selectors she has what it takes to match it with the big international shooters.
Bakewell-Doran will have to best either Sunday Aryang (West Coast Fever), Courtney Bruce (West Coast Fever), Matilda Garrett (Adelaide Thunderbirds), Sarah Klau (NSW Swifts) or Joanna Weston (Melbourne Vixens) for a spot on the squad.
Over the next three weeks the 23-year-old will have to go toe to toe with Shimona Nelson and Sophie Garbin at the Magpies, English Roses’ Eleanor Cardwell when Firebirds take on Thunderbirds and Fever’s shooting star Jhaniele Fowler.
“This league has stellar goal attacks and I’m lucky to come up against some awesome Australian and international shooters who all bring something different,” Bakewell-Doran said.
“I’ve put in a lot of hard work during pre-season. I didn’t get to go away for the Quad Series but I’ve taken on a lot of feedback and tried to put that in action.
“You never know what the selectors are looking for, I’m surrounded by some epic athletes and all I can do is just keep doing my best.”
A World Cup is the dream for Bakewell-Doran, one she didn’t think would be so close to coming true this early in her career.
“It is all a bit surreal, I feel like I’m in a fantasy world all of the time, I’m loving it,” she said.
But the defender is trying to push the excitement and nerves about the World Cup to the back of her mind and focus on the Super Netball season.
“I need to focus on what I can do to support our team because it has been a tough slog this round, hopefully we keep getting better game to game and get the little things to work,” Bakewell-Doran said.
Firebirds, who have won just one game this season, host Magpies at Nissan Arena on Saturday for their annual Pride Match.
Bakewell-Doran is Netball Queensland’s Pride in Sport LGBTQ Athlete Ambassador and an AIS Thrive with Pride Ambassador.
“Pride round is close to my heart because mental health is something that is close to my heart,” she said.
“When people feel supported to be themselves and do what they love and be who they are one and off the court they are mentally happy and the best version of themselves.”
Firebirds will go into the match without Macy Gardner who will miss the rest of the season with a broken wrist.
Tonga Tala captain Hulita Veve has been called in as a temporary replacement player for this weekend’s match.
Veve, 27, was part of the club’s 2016 ANZ Championship grand final win.
Originally published as Super Netball: Three crucial games for Firebird Ruby Bakewell-Doran’s World Cup dream
‘Intensity and ferocity’: Male training partners an upward trend
As Super Netball looks to lift its “intensity and ferocity” across the league, the signing of male training partners are increasing in popularity, with West Coast Fever coach Dan Ryan leading the way.
The First Nations program saving netball talents from footy raiders
Tierrah Miller is one of five potential debutants for the Black Swans in their PacificAus Netball Series after her footy defection was halted by the First Nations program.