Premier and Sports Minister laud the Firebirds after thrilling win

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Minister for Sport and Racing Bill Byrne have congratulated the Firebirds on behalf of all Queenslanders on their thrilling Trans-Tasman Grand Final triumph.

“Laura and The Firebirds have been the dominant team throughout the season and their victory is thoroughly deserved,” the Premier said.

“It was an honour to be at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre to see the team cheered on by a crowd of enthusiastic Queensland supporters.

“They did it the hard way, coming from behind. It was edge of the seat stuff but they had the belief and the determination to win by a single goal in the dying seconds.

“They have done Queensland proud.”

Minister Byrne said the Firebirds deserved to be the centre of attention and he hoped their win would inspire even more girls to participate and excel at netball.

“What pleases me so much is that the players are such terrific role models for the thousands of youngsters who play the sport.

“Netball is already one of the most successful sports in Queensland in terms of grass roots participation and I want to see participation rates soar across the state.

“The Firebirds have shown what can be achieved through hard work, skill and dedication, but those players who excelled today had to start somewhere as little girls who wanted to play a sport.

“It’s great to see netball grab the limelight. The players deserve all the plaudits today and so do all those thousands of coaches and organisers who put in the work each week to make it possible for girls to compete at all levels.”