The Firebirds Futures are an Australian netball team that represents Netball Queensland in the Australian Netball Championships. Between 2008 and 2019, as Queensland Fusion, they played in the Australian Netball League. From 2020 to 2022, the team was known as the Queensland Sapphires. The Firebirds Futures are effectively the reserve team of Queensland Firebirds and the representative team of the HART Sapphire Series.

History

Queensland Fusion

Between 2008 and 2019, Queensland Fusion played in the Australian Netball League. They were founder members of the ANL. Their best performance in the ANL came in 2014 when they reached the grand final but lost 51–49 to Victorian Fury.

Firebirds Futures

Regular season statistics

Queensland Sapphires

In 2021, Queensland Fusion were re-branded Queensland Sapphires after the HART Sapphire Series. In September 2021, they were due to represent Netball Queensland in the inaugural Australian Netball Championships tournament. However, this tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sapphires subsequently played in a four team series, playing against Sunshine Coast Lightning's ANC team, the Queensland Suns men's netball team and PacificAus Sports, a Pacific Islander select.

Firebirds Futures

Grand finals

Home venue

During the 2019 ANL season, Queensland Fusion played their home matches at the

Queensland State Netball Centre.

Firebirds Futures

Notable players

2021 squad

Internationals

Demelza Fellowes

Cara Koenen

Laura Scherian

Gretel Tippett

Stephanie Wood

Verity Simmons

Simone Nalatu

Ameliaranne Wells

Maleta Roberts

Lenora Misa

Queensland Firebirds

Sunshine Coast Lightning

Cara Koenen

Madeline McAuliffe

Jacqui Russell

Laura Scherian

Stephanie Wood

Head coaches

Premierships

Australian Netball League

Runners up: 2014: 1

References

Sapphires

Australian Netball Championship teams

Netball teams in Queensland

Netball

Sports clubs and teams established in 2008

2008 establishments in Australia

Netball teams in Australia

Sports clubs and teams in Brisbane