AFTER a lot of uncertainty, the Queensland Firebirds have announced their permanent replacement for coach Bec Bulley.

After the Firebirds finished their 2024 season with a few interim coaches, it has been announced that Kiri Wills will be the club’s coach for the next two years.

A former Kiwi Under 21 international, Wills comes to the Firebirds off the back of a seven season stint as coach of the Northern Stars in the ANZ Premiership, reaching three grand finals in that time. She has also been head coach of New Zealand at the Fast Five World Series and the World Youth Cup.

“I am honoured and excited about coaching the Queensland Firebirds,” Wills said.

“Players and coaches around the world look on with envy at the calibre of the Suncorp Super Netball competition so it is a giant step for me.

“The Firebirds have a history of being a formidable club and I am looking forward to rolling my sleeves up and working in partnership with the players, the team staff and Netball Queensland to work our way back to the top.”

“At every step of the thorough recruitment process, Kiri displayed not just her extensive netball knowledge but also her capabilities with implementing and leading a whole-of-club strategy to foster a team performance culture of the highest standard,” Firebirds Chief Executive Kate Davies said.

“Kiri obviously has extensive experience coaching at the high-performance level as well as a proven track record in talent identification and development having been the Silver Ferns Development Squad Coach in New Zealand for many years alongside her role with the Stars.

“Most importantly, we feel that Kiri has the tools to create a high-performance culture at the Firebirds that is anchored in identity, meaning and positivity combined with serious credibility in technical and tactical coaching, to enable our club to achieve the success we all crave.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kiri and her family to the Purple Family and look forward to helping them settle into their new home and engaging with the community.”