The Queensland Firebirds have confirmed that star midcourt pair Kim Ravaillion and Lara Dunkley will lead the club this year as captain and vice-captain respectively.
The news comes after reigning club captain Gabi Simpson announced earlier this week that she would be stepping aside from the role after five-years.
The 28-year-old Ravaillion, who is the Firebirds' reigning MVP winner, said it ‘means a lot’ to take on the captaincy of a club that helped start her career and that she has called home almost ever since.
“To be named captain of this great club is so special to me, I have great memories here,” Ravaillion said.
“For the girls to trust in me and back me not only as a player but a person gives me so much confidence to do the best that I can to lead this group the best way I know how.
“The girls are my biggest motivators, I love hearing their feedback it only makes me better as a leader. I will support, push and bring the best out of the girls around me.”
Leading by example and not being scripted will be the leadership style of Ravaillion, who has worked under some of the best leaders in the sport, including Laura Geitz, Geva Mentor and Simpson.
“I try my best to lead by example especially for our young ones because that’s what I learnt when I was a young player, from those who led before me,” Ravaillion explained.
“I will lead the best way I know how and that’s by example. I’m not scripted I make mistakes; I stutter when I talk - that’s just me.”
Ravaillion takes over a Firebirds side that hasn't played finals netball since 2018 but admits she is under no illusion being number one in this competition is no easy task.
“This group has been working really hard in our preseason, the feeling in the group is one I have felt before and it excites me,” Ravaillion said.
“There is a long pre-season ahead and a lot of hard yards to put in, that’s why we do it because we love the challenge of the game and we all want to win for the Firebirds’ purple family.”
Firebirds head coach Megan Anderson spoke glowingly of Ravaillion and explained why she would make a great captain.
“Rav is an amazing athlete, both physically and in the approach she has to the game. She never stops in the pursuit of being better and improving herself,” Anderson said.
“She knows she has achieved the highs of netball, but now life is not so much about her and what she can achieve but about helping others achieve their best.
“I have seen her grow into a mature and selfless player who is genuinely caring and so enthusiastic about making her teammates be the best they can be.
“When she speaks everyone listens so it’ll more of the concise, to the point and timely chats with the players that will help inspire them to achieve big things in 2022.”
