Netball: Firebirds coach's focus on team, not politics

Despite the controversy brewing back home, Queensland Firebirds coach Vicki Wilson is confident her side will have their minds on the job when they take the court against the Northern Mystics in Auckland today.

The two sides meet at Waitakere's Trusts Stadium in the first of five transtasman battles this weekend, which has been dubbed the "Rivalry Round" in the ANZ Championship. But off-court dramas at the Queensland franchise have threatened to overshadow the clash. Wilson's future with the Firebirds is in doubt after Netball Queensland (NQ) this week advertised the head coaching role at the franchise, turning the post in to a full-time position.

The former Australian shooter, who combines her coaching role with a high-flying job in the Queensland State Government, will be forced to reapply for her position.

Wilson said she was disappointed with the timing of the announcement, describing Netball Queensland's decision to advertise the role while her side are fighting to keep their top four hopes alive as "bizarre".

For now Wilson is keen to push the uncertainty over her coaching future to the back of her mind and focus on leading her side to the play-offs. "I haven't even had a chance to really think about it. I was just told about it and then it happened," said Wilson.

"For me, if I get bogged down thinking about it, then I think I will just lose focus.

"It's just important to tidy up this end and make sure there is no stone left unturned in our preparation and run into the finals."

Rumours of a power struggle between Wilson and the NQ board have dogged the Firebirds for much of their 2009 campaign.

Before the first whistle had even been blown there were suggestions of a rift between Wilson and the board after NQ recruited shooter Carla Dziwoki to replace Megan Dehn in the squad.

It is understood Wilson had wanted to sign veteran midcourter Katie Walker, who played for the franchise last season, but NQ overruled her decision and offered Dziwoki the contract. Wilson has not given Dziwoki any court time this season.

The autonomy of the Australian sporting icon was further eroded when NQ appointed a coach to deliver additional private training for star defender Laura Geitz without consulting Wilson.

While the Firebirds have yet to play their best netball on this side of the Tasman, given the spat brewing back home they may be pleased to escape the glare in Brisbane for today's do-or-die clash against the Mystics.

The Firebirds are in a three-way battle with the Southern Steel and West Coast Fever for the one remaining spot in the finals and Wilson said her side was acutely aware of what was at stake in today's clash. "I know every psychiatrist will tell you you shouldn't think of the outcome, but the reality is that if we don't win our chances of being in the final four are pretty much non-existent," she said.

The Auckland team have been horribly inconsistent this season and it is hard to know which Mystics side will turn up today. But if they play like they did in the second half of their match against the Melbourne Vixens last week, they could be very damaging.

The Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic are looking to finally bring an end to New Zealand's drought on Australian soil tomorrow when they take on the West Coast Fever in Perth.

The Central Pulse are gunning for their first win in the competition when they take on the ninth-placed NSW Swifts in Wellington. In Monday night's action the Southern Steel must win against the Adelaide Thunderbirds in Dunedin, while the Canterbury Tactix have a tough battle on their hands against the Vixens in Melbourne.

ROUND 13

Today: 2pm Northern Mystics v Queensland Firebirds, Auckland.
Tomorrow: 4.30pm West Coast Fever v Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic, Perth; 6:30pm Central Pulse v NSW Swifts, Wellington.
Monday: 7pm Southern Steel v Adelaide Thunderbirds, Dunedin; 9pm Melbourne Vixens v Canterbury Tactix, Melbourne.