Firebirds reveal club great as new assistant coach... but there’s a catch

The Queensland Firebirds have announced former Diamond and ex-club premiership winning skipper Lauren Brown (nee Nourse) as their new assistant coach just four days after Sara Francis-Bayman’s shock exit from the club.

Francis-Bayman’s “immediate” departure from the Firebirds was announced on Monday, amid speculation of a clash with new coach Bec Bulley.

The Sunshine Coast-based Brown won’t be taking on the Firebirds assistant role in a full-time capacity – instead she’ll work game days supporting Bulley while the team turns to pregnant star goaler Gretel Tippett during training sessions mid week.

“Gretel has been involved regularly in our training sessions sharing her knowledge and expertise, particularly with our attacking group,” Bulley said.

“This involvement has been fantastic and I am keen for it to continue throughout the season – especially at times when Lauren is attending to her other work commitments.”

Brown will still continue with her weekday role as director at one of Queensland’s leading independent co-educational private schools while working as Firebirds assistant.

Brown’s appointment comes just one day out from the start of Super Netball’s Round 1, on the back of Francis-Bayman’s “mysterious” exit.

Former England international Francis-Bayman lasted just five months in Queensland, with the Firebirds releasing a limited statement on Monday confirming her departure.

“To uphold the confidentiality of all involved, we will not discuss publicly the reasons behind the decision,” Netball Queensland CEO Kate Davies said.

“I thank Sara for the contribution she has made and personally and sincerely wish her all the best for the future.”

The statement led Fox Netball’s Cath Cox and Kim Green to speculate on what went wrong at the Firebirds.

“It’s not a decision you would take lightly (to relocate to Australia) … if you thought it was going to be a short-term role,” Cox said on Fox Netball’s Centre Circle.

“Our understanding is that Sara Francis-Bayman did not resign.

“Potentially there was a clash of personalities between the head coach Bec Bulley and Sara Francis-Bayman.

“It seems like something went awry very, very quickly.

“The fact that there was potentially a clash of personalities between Bec Bulley, the head coach, and Sara Francis-Bayman is really quite hard to understand when you hear all the great things about Sara Francis-Bayman. Who knows what’s gone on behind closed doors?”

Bulley had only recently spoken positively on her connection with Francis-Bayman, but admitted there was a clash in styles.

“Absolutely want someone that is going to support you, that’s going have your back, that’s going to compliment you as well,” she said on The 4th Quarter podcast.

“I think Sara and I have a great complimentary, we are a team. I guess I kind focus more on the defence, she has more of an attacking focus.

“She brings a bit of an English flavour to our training, whereas I’m like ‘No, this has got to be done the Australian way’ (laughs).

“Things absolutely can compliment and we can also challenge.

“The great thing is though we are aligned in how we coach, the message we give to the players.”

Green warned the decision to change up their coaching structure so close to Round 1 could have a big impact on players.

“If we go off track record, the Firebirds have got (former coach) Megan Anderson, we’ve got (former star shooter) Romelda Aiken-George and now Sara Francis-Bayman – all knee jerk reactions and minimal communication on the other side of it,” she said on Centre Circle.

“What happened in that short space of time?

“Were the players involved in the discussion? I am not certain.

“It had to be pretty big for (Francis-Bayman’s exit) to happen.

“It can go two ways that everyone loses their bundle, or everyone sticks together and they work as a strong cohesive unit.”

The Firebirds will take on the Adelaide Thunderbirds in Round 1 on Sunday.