THE highly anticipated wait is over with Queensland Firebirds releasing the final piece of their puzzle and announcing Megan Anderson as head coach for the 2021 season. Anderson is just the sixth coach in Firebirds history and boasts a wealth of experience both as an internationally acclaimed player and coach given her recent tenure as assistant coach with the Australian Diamonds.

Having spent a wealth of time behind other coaches, this is Anderson’s first gig as a head coach, an opportunity that she has been actively preparing for.

“It’s an incredible opportunity to coach at the Suncorp Super Netball level and I am genuinely humbled to be the next Head Coach of the Queensland Firebirds,” Anderson said. “As a coach, I pride myself on being creative, positive and adaptable, and I’ve worked really hard to develop my skills since retiring to ensure I would be ready to grab an opportunity like this with both hands.”

The new Firebirds head coach is excited about the opportunity to foster and develop some of the up and coming youngsters coming through the Firebirds squad.

“My primary focus though is my players, and my goal is to do everything within my ability to help nurture and develop this group, so that we can do justice to both their ability and their potential,” Anderson said.

The Firebirds rose up the ladder in 2020 stringing together some strong performances to finish fifth on the ladder boasting a record of six wins, one draw and seven losses. The squad has remained relatively the same heading into next season with Kim Ravaillion the only newcomer, replacing the outgoing Mahalia Cassidy.

“It’s a dynamic and talented playing group and I was particularly impressed by the manner in which they finished the season after some close losses early in the year – that shows true character and I know we can build on that in 2021,” Anderson said. “They show plenty of variety and skill on court and never back down, so if we can continue to build our combinations with those characteristics at our core, this group will match it with any team in the League.”

Anderson played 15 games for the Diamonds and was renowned for her crafty play and fancy footwork along with her high netball IQ, something she well and truly brings to the coaching sphere. The 46-year-old has forged a name for herself in the coaching world having plied her trade as a specialist coach for the NSW Swifts while also spending two years in the Diamonds fold and walking away with Constellation Cup wins, two Quad Series victories and a World Cup Silver Medal.

In terms of her playing career, Anderson plied her trade with the Swifts for many years before crossing the ditch and playing with both the Southern Steel and Northern Mystics throughout the ANZ Championship, prior to the introduction of the Super Netball.

Given her attacking mindset, it could really benefit the likes of up and coming youngster Tippah Dwan who had a breakout season in 2020 with her court coverage and circle work. Anderson also spent time outside of the circle in wing attack which could assist in the development of Jemma Mi Mi and Lara Dunkley who have shown glimpses of brilliance with their ball placement and hustle a couple of key components in their game play despite boasting very different styles.

There is no denying that it is full steam ahead for the Firebirds with Anderson set to commence the role in December.

Finalised list heading into 2021:

• Romelda Aiken
• Gretel Bueta
• Lara Dunkley (Firebirds Squad 2020)
• Tippah Dwan (Firebirds Squad 2020)
• Rudi Ellis
• Tara Hinchliffe
• Kim Jenner
• Jemma Mi Mi
• Kim Ravaillion (Magpies Squad 2019)
• Gabi Simpson