The Queensland Firebirds have revealed their secret weapon ahead of Sunday's trans-Tasman netball grand final.
Brynley Abad is their strength and conditioning coach, and the players say he has been the secret to their success.
Abad is a former professional rugby league player who plied his trade in Europe.
Abad also held a coaching role with the Queensland Reds when they took out the 2011 Super Rugby title.
"There wasn't a huge resistance training philosophy here so we actually turned that around," says Abad.
"There's a lot of anterior cruciate ligaments in netball so we decided we needed to get them strong."
Thanks to their training program, the Firebirds boast the lowest injury rate of any team in the league over the past four seasons.
The senior playing group is over the moon about what Abad has brought to the team.
"I think Brynley is our secret ingredient to success. He does have everyone in the best shape just peaking at the right time," captain Laura Geitz said.
The Firebirds gym program is also making an impression on up and coming players like Chelsea Lemke who joined the team this season.
"He pushes you so hard, but once you've earned his respect he's a bit nicer and kinder to you," Lemke said.
All the hard work has given the Queensland side the opportunity to make history and become the first team to win back to back titles.
"This is our fourth grand final in a row and there's that sense of calmness but that competitive edge so I'm very confident the girls will go all the way," Abad said.
The Firebirds take on the NSW Swifts in the trans-Tasman netball grand final at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Sunday at 12:10pm.
