International stars return to the Firebirds

Netball Australia Diamonds Natalie Medhurst, Lauren Nourse, Amy Steel and Laura Geitz will return to the Mission Queensland Firebirds along with Romelda Aiken

THE Mission Queensland Firebirds will be welcoming back all five of their star international players in the 2011 season.

2010 Diamonds members Laura Geitz, Natalie Medhurst, Lauren Nourse and Amy Steel will join Jamaican shooting sensation Romelda Aiken to help lead the Mission Queensland Firebirds to victory in the 2011 season.

All five players have been making headlines in recent weeks with their outstanding performances in the Holden Test Series and many, if not all will be heading to Dehli in October to represent their country at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Coach Roselee Jencke said she was delighted the five players would be returning to the Mission Queensland Firebirds, bringing with them a wealth of experience and talent.

“It’s fantastic that they have re-signed with the Firebirds for 2011, retaining our core group of international players and having them in the mix again will only lead to enhanced performance on the court,” she said.

“Their experience competing at an international level means they will be able to lead and challenge the younger members to build on their fitness and skills to produce improved performances for 2011.”

Netball Queensland President Jan Maggacis said the Netball Queensland Board was excited to be able to announce the re-signing of five international players to the Mission Queensland Firebirds ranks for the 2011 ANZ Championships. 

“It is a very rewarding and encouraging phase in our state’s involvement in the Trans Tasman competition to be able to develop, attract and keep players of this caliber,” she said.

“The commitment of these players to the Firebirds certainly provides sound endorsement for the direction and program being offered in Queensland.”

A full Mission Queensland Firebirds team list will be released in September.