The Academy provides a clear pathway for young Queensland athletes to progress through the ranks and potentially wear the iconic Firebirds dress with QFFA young defender Ash Barnett securing a Suncorp Super Netball contract with the Firebirds for 2025.
Firebirds training partners Abigail Latu-Meafou, Lily Gribble, Kirra Tappenden, Elsa Sif-Sandholt and Maddi Ridley are also part of the academy’s current intake.
The QFFA supports athletes who are Nationally Categorised or selected in Queensland’s 17/U and 19/U squads for the National Netball Championships, as well as the Firebirds Futures team in Super Netball Reserves.
Established in south-east Queensland and now with regional branches in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, and Rockhampton, the QFFA allows talented players to develop within their hometowns, a goal that can now extend beyond netball with the support of BMA.
The partnership will allow regional athletes to stay closer to home while they continue to develop their talents in their local communities.
“This win-win partnership brings benefits beyond the netball courts and our mine gates,” said BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) Asset President Adam Lancey.
“Netball Queensland and the Queensland Firebirds share our aspiration to keep people living and working in regional Queensland,” he said.
“Like us they want to contribute to the liveability and vibrancy of the regions with sports participation playing an important role in the sense of community. Through this partnership we will support thriving communities and support regional growth and jobs.”
The partnership will also include a minimum of two community netball clinics in strategic regional locations each year as well as coach and umpire workshops promoted and facilitated by Netball Queensland.
BMA will also proudly feature on the Queensland Firebirds and Firebirds Futures dresses, signifying their official partnership with Netball Queensland and the Firebirds.
“As one of the major employers in regional Queensland, having BMA onboard as foundation partner for the QFFA is a win-win,” Netball Queensland and Queensland Firebirds chief executive officer Kate Davies said.
“Not only will this partnership further strengthen the QFFA, particularly in its regional operations, and ensure the continued growth of netball pathways in Queensland but it offers our young athletes a great chance to explore professional career opportunities within their own community.
“This is an exciting collaboration which will ensure up-and-coming talent across the state is getting the best opportunities both on and off the court to realise their full potential.”
For more information on the QFFA click here.
