Study’s next after our big win

IT seems like only hours ago that the ANZ Championship was in the balance with just seconds left for us to get a lead on the scoreboard.

But already I’m getting ready to leave Brisbane in the off-season to tackle my studies head-on when I move back home to the Gold Coast in a few weeks.

I have had plenty of time during the past week to reflect on our grand final win over the NSW Swifts.

And I couldn’t be more thankful to my roommate and Firebirds centre Kim Ravaillion for helping to keep me calm when I eventually shot the final goal late in the game on Sunday.

We had 15 seconds left on the clock and I was debating whether to pass it off to “Diddy” (Romelda Aiken) or get closer to the goals.

I was so lucky Kim Ravaillion was there telling me what to do.

She shouted for me to get closer to the goals before I passed the ball and we double-played.

I didn’t really think too much about it when I heard her scream “shoot it” from the centre of the court. I just turned, shot and did what we do in practice every single day and was lucky it went in that night.

“Ravi” was properly recog- nised at the Queensland Firebirds awards night on Thursday when she claimed the most valuable player award along with Romelda Aiken after being tied in a points tally at the end of the final round of the season.

I was trying to do the maths in my head as the points were announced for the year, round by round.

But when it was announced I was so happy to see Ravi share the stage up there with Romelda.

They are two of our stars and deserve the accolades that have come their way this year in the ANZ Championship.

I’ll head home to the Gold Coast today to see the family and my studies will be taking up a lot more of my time until next season.

I am three years into my nutrition degree and hope to be finished some time soon.

It’s been a wonderful season with the Firebirds, returning home to Queensland and I appreciate the Bulletin readers coming along for the ride. It’s been a real honour. Thanks again guys and go the Firebirds!

Picture: ADAM ARMSTRONG FULL OF PRIDE: Firebirds Rebecca Bulley, Caitlyn Nevins, Gretel Tippett, Clare McMeniman and Kim Ravaillion with the ANZ Championship Cup they won on Sunday.