Matthews, a development coach who has been a part of the Gems’ program since moving to Brisbane from a regional area, took charge of the team for Sunday’s penultimate game.
Head Coach Merrin McCulloch’s decision to put Matthews in the hotseat paid dividends as the Gems recorded a 16-1 victory at the Waverley Netball Centre.
“As a coach with a disability, each year Jack is building in confidence and skill,” McCulloch said.
“I know Jack thoroughly enjoyed the experience of coaching the team and he now has a 100 per cent winning record, which not many coaches can claim.”
The win over the ACT was one of two for the Gems on Sunday as they went on to claim a fifth-place finish at the tournament with a 14-goal victory over the Northern Territory in the afternoon’s finals.
Hosts Victoria would go onto claim the Shield with a win over defending champions NSW in the final before a presentation ceremony attended by Australian Diamonds star Jo Weston.
To help the team compete at this year’s competition, Netball Queensland proudly fully funded the Gems in line with the organisation’s commitment to removing barriers to participation at all levels of netball.
Confident Girls and Mizuno also provided support for the team.
