The Queensland Firebirds can confirm former player and assistant coach Katie Walker will join the club’s coaching team for the remainder of the 2024 Suncorp Super Netball campaign.
Walker, who has been working as an assistant coach with the Firebirds Futures in the Super Netball Reserves program, will join Netball Queensland Head of Talent & Development Roselee Jencke who will continue to offer specialist support to the defence end as she has been doing for the past few weeks in addition to her permanent position within Netball Queensland.
Assistant Coach Lauren Brown, who stepped in as caretaker coach for Sunday’s match against the Melbourne Mavericks, has made the decision to step down from her role at the club.
The Firebirds sincerely thank Brown for her hard work and commitment since joining the club last year, particularly for her efforts in the past week in guiding the team’s preparations.
Walker was a Firebird from 2007-08 as well as forging a legendary career in Queensland state league competitions, with the HART Sapphire Series MVP award named in her honour.
In addition to her work with the Firebirds Futures, Walker has coached the Queensland Sapphires at the Australian Netball Championships and worked as an assistant coach with the Firebirds.