For NSW Swifts head coach Briony Akle Sunday's pre-season win over New Zealand was pleasing, but it was the occasion that had her buzzing.
“What a privilege it is for both sides," she told NewsCorp.
"(To be the) first ever club side take on a national team and to be able to do it in such respect for each other and each other’s culture (was great).
“Certainly playing them, I think a lot of us are pinching ourselves at the opportunities there to be able to do it.”
The Swifts used the clash with NZ as a vital pre-season clash to ramp up their preparations ahead of the 2025 Suncorp Super Netball season when they will look the return to the mountain top after a disappointing 2024.
The Kiwis, meanwhile, were in Sydney for a training camp and were keen to get some top-level match play under their belts.
While the final 74-52 score-line flattered the Swifts a little, there was little doubt the the entire NSW squad was able to mix it with the five-time World Champions who were under the leadership of Dame Noeline Taurua.
"Look, we still had plenty of champion internationals in our Swifts team such as Paige Hadley, Sarah Klau, Grace Nweke, Verity Simmons and Maddy Turner," Akle added.
"(But) what really made me proud was how players such as Sophie Fawns, Grace Whyte and Lili Gorman-Brown stood up, especially when NZ came back hard in that third quarter.
"I also loved the energy that Sharni Lambden and Allie Smith brought when they were on court.
"It has been a really special for us as a group to play against the New Zealand front-liners to kick-off our pre-season schedule. Of course, it's a pre-season game and no one is getting carried away but it's good to see connections starting to work.
"Sunday's game was memorable for everyone who attended and for those who helped to bring it to life. It's going to be a huge year ahead and we can't wait to get rolling."
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