- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
On the eve of her 50th game, Firebirds star Kimberley Ravaillion is looking forward and not to the past as the Firebirds hunt for back-to-back titles.
After winning last year’s championship by one goal against the Swifts, her attention and that of the team’s is on what lies ahead.
On Monday, the Firebirds match up against a Central Pulse side featuring three former Firebirds, and with both teams having Round 1 wins it promises to be a great game.
“I think it will be a great hit out, they have a new and improved team so it will be a good game to watch,” Ravaillion said.
The Pulse are coming off a tight one-goal win over the Magic and look to be a completely different team from last season. With improved fitness and more pace, the Pulse will be exciting to watch this year.
The Firebirds were able to pull away from the Tactix after a tight first quarter to win 70-55 at home. The coaching staff, while happy with the first up win, will be looking for a better start this week against the Pulse.
The Tactix were able to keep the game tight in the first quarter by trailing by only two goals, before last year’s champions pulled away in the second and third quarters to go into the final quarter with a 54-37 lead. The Tactix were able to win the last quarter by 2 goals.
Ravaillion believes last year’s grand final is one of the best games she has been involved in, and the motivation to go back-to-back is something talked about in the off-season.
“Last year’s grand final game was one of the best games I’ve been a part of, but that was last year and it remains a memory. Moving forward now and all the focus goes on this year.
“We have a lot of hunger with this group, very determined to meet all goals we set in the pre-season. Going back-to-back is one of them.”
Ravaillion started her netball journey at seven years old because her best friend was playing.
“I started playing when I was seven years old, only because I saw how much fun my best friend Natalie was having at the time. Thought I’d join in haven’t looked back since.” Ravaillion said.
And with netball being in such a great state at the moment, with big numbers of girls playing and joining NetSetGo, Ravaillion believes the game she loves is in a strong position moving forward.
“So happy with the amount of girls getting involved with the sport! It’s come so far and it’s thanks to those before us who put so much hard work into making the sport what it is today – enables us girls nowadays to take the reins and lead it to even further heights.”
And as one of the game’s brightest stars embarks on her 50th game for the Firebirds, Ravaillion was able to give some advice to any young girls wanting to follow in her footsteps and play for Australia.
“There will be highs and lows along your journey as a netballer. My advice is to never give up, the low moments are the ones that make you realise how strong and determined you are about what you do. Challenge yourself and be comfortable being uncomfortable.”
The Firebirds have worked hard during the off-season in a bid to stay on top of the ANZ Championship table, with a team featuring Laura Geitz in defence, Ravaillion playing centre and a potent goal-scoring partnership of Romelda Aiken and Gretel Tippett, they will be hard to stop going back-to-back.
As Ravaillion said, the challenges will keep presenting themselves, but this group certainly doesn’t lack the drive and motivation.