Former GIANT Lending a Hand

Former GIANT Bec Bulley is back on the court, lending her expertise to the club’s defenders just weeks after giving birth to her second child.

The inaugural GIANT, who retired (again) at the end of the last Suncorp Super Netball season, has been attending the GIANTS’ court sessions every fortnight to mentor the young defensive group.

“It’s a good way to impart some of my knowledge and still be involved, which is nice,” Bulley said.

“I really enjoy it, it’s like I get to still be around the girls but don’t have to do all the hard work.”

Also an Assistant Coach at the Canberra GIANTS – the club’s Australian Netball League (ANL) feeder team – Bulley has seamlessly transitioned from her role on the court to an important one off it.

“Some of the GIANTS players drop back and play ANL so it crosses over really well,” she said.

“I absolutely love coaching, it’s something I’ve been passionate about my whole career and it’s nice now I’m not playing I’ve got a little bit more time to dedicate to it.”

Having given birth just two weeks ago, Bulley is seemingly overestimating her free time but is still as dedicated to netball as always, helping out with Xander and Indi in tow.

“I kept coaching right up until I had our baby, a little boy Xander, so he’s two weeks old and I’m back coaching again,” she said.

“I feel fine, I think being an athlete maybe your body is a bit resilient and you come back pretty easily, just a bit tired to be honest.

“The support that female athletes are getting now after having a baby is just incredible, there’s no way I would have been able to come back if I didn’t have the support I received. 

“And now it’s just kind of continued with number two.”

Having closely watched the GIANTS in the 2019 season, Bulley sees the mid-season World Cup break as an opportunity to work further with the core defensive group of Sam Poolman, Kristiana Manu’a, Matilda McDonnell and Teigan O’Shannassy.

When Bulley came out of retirement the first time to play for the GIANTS in the inaugural Suncorp Super Netball season, she brought with her a wealth of experience to team up with Poolman in the defensive circle.

With 67 elite netball caps, Poolman is now the most experienced member of the GIANTS’ defensive unit, supported by Manu’a, who has now played 19 SSN games. McDonnell and O’Shannassy have both made their debuts this season, registering one appearance each.

“I think it might be an opportunity to really work with the defence to try and keep their match fitness up and work on a few things,” Bulley said.

“Then hopefully we can really come out strong in the second half of the season.”

There’s also no time to rest in her role supporting the Canberra GIANTS as they gear up to play the Victorian Fury in the ANL finals on June 29.

“For the Canberra GIANTS, we go into finals in two weeks’ time down in Melbourne,” Bulley said.

“We finished fourth but anything can happen, it’s a whole new ball game in finals. I hope we can do well and come away with a win.”

With orange in her blood, Bulley has felt the same frustration GIANTS fans have over the past few weeks with glimpses of outstanding netball not yet rewarded for the club.

“I certainly think they’ve built and improved over the season,” Bulley said.

“I just think they were probably unlucky in those last two games, they were in a position to win and they just kind of let it slip which must be really frustrating for them and for Julie (Fitzgerald).

“There are a lot of positives, in the game against the Swifts on the weekend they were the better team for about three and a half quarters so I’m sure they’re a bit disappointed in themselves they let it go but again, they’re still in the top four. 

“You’ve just got to finish in the top four and anything can happen in finals.”

The GIANTS take on the Vixens at home at the Quaycentre at 7pm on Saturday night, get your tickets here.