The Fire are more than a team: Murray
Dual WNBL championship winner Mia Murray believes much of the JCU Townsville Fire’s success can be attributed to the club’s off-court culture.
Addressing the club’s members and fans at this morning’s season launch, Murray, who is entering her seventh season with the club, spoke passionately about the role the Fire plays in the North Queensland community.
“It’s more than just winning games on the court,” Murray said.
“It’s about what we do in the community – the school visits that we do and ensuring that we are being positive role models – but in the same breath, it’s also about the support that we receive from the community in receipt.
“If you had told me seven years ago when I left Adelaide that I would be a dual championship winner and had played in four grand finals I would not have believed you.
“But it’s what we do off the court as well that makes it so special to play for this club.”
During the Fire’s opening home games of the season, Murray will chalk up her 150th game for the club, joining championship-winning teammates Rachael McCully and Micaela Cocks as just the third player to do so.
Fire skipper Suzy Batkovic echoed her vice-captain’s words, and after tasting the pain of defeat during last year’s semi-final series, is hungry to return to the top of the summit.
“We’ve assembled a great roster – I’ve never seen us looking deeper – and we want to reclaim that title,” Batkovic said.
“I got asked at the WNBL season launch who I thought the team to beat was and I said us, and I truly believe that.
“We’re here to win.”
The Fire get their first look at a WNBL opponent on Friday and Saturday when they host the Perth Lynx at the Wilmar Sugar Burdekin Blitz on September 22 and 23.
Tickets are available at the door.