The NSW Swifts are delighted to announce the athletes selected for the QBE Swifts Academy program in 2026.
Launched in late 2019 with the backing of Netball NSW and Swifts Principal Partner QBE Insurance, the Academy strengthens the foundations of Australian netball's most decorated elite club by providing further pathway opportunities to aspiring players.
In 2025 the Academy secured a top-three finish in the Super Netball Reserves competition after going toe-to-toe with the nation’s best up-and-coming talent.
Under the mentorship of foundation Academy Head Coach Lenore Blades, who will take the reins again this year, the pathway has already produced a number of Premiership-winning Swifts such as Tayla Fraser, while current young-gun attacker Grace Whyte is a product of the program.
Blades congratulated each of the individuals selected.
“Over the past number of years, the SN Reserves competition has helped us elevate the player experience to the next level and our athletes have risen to the challenge.
“The athletes we’ve selected are among the very best in the NSW and I am really excited to see what they can do in 2026.
“We are already in the process of getting prepared for this year’s SN Reserves and I am delighted by what I have seen so far.
“Being part of the Swifts as a special achievement and with the Club celebrating 30 years I am really hoping this inspires our Academy athletes to give everything and demonstrate why they should be wearing the Red Dress in years to come.”
The Swifts would like to once again thank QBE Insurance for their continued support of the Academy and the next generation of netball stars.
2026 QBE Swifts Academy Athletes
- Chloe Baker (Panthers/Hills District)
- Nicola Barge (South West Mounties Magic/Sutherland Shire)
- Courtney Castle (South West Mounties Magic/Liverpool)
- Jess Conlan (ERNA Hawks/Griffith)*
- Bella Degei (South West Mounties Magic/Penrith District)
- Isabella Maher (Sutherland Stingrays/Sutherland Shire)
- Nevaeh Matenga (UTS Randwick Sparks/Liverpool)*
- Sophia Martinussen (ERNA Hawks/Tuggeranong)
- Ava Moller (Sutherland Stingrays/Wagga Wagga)
- Whitney Mueller (UTS Randwick Sparks/Northern Suburbs)
- Paige O’Neill (ERNA Hawks/Northern Netball - Tasmania)
- Brooke Patterson (North Shore United/Randwick)
- Charlotte Raleigh (North Shore United/Armidale & District)
- Freddie Schneideman (ERNA Hawks/Randwick)*
- Lauren Woods (North Shore United/Blacktown City)
*denotes currently injured
2026 QBE SWIFTS ACADEMY STAFF
- Head Coach: Lenore Blades
- Assistant Coach: Sharyn Hill
- Team Manager: Jess Dell
- Physio: Kandice Goodwin
- Strength & Conditioning Coach: Georgie Fowler
- Performance Analyst: Chloe Nolan
