Champion English Rose Harten joins Swifts as Specialist Coach

The NSW Swifts are proud to announce that Champion English Rose Jo Harten will be joining the club as a specialist coach for the 2026 Suncorp Super Netball season.

After an incredible 19-year career, Harten announced her retirement from elite netball in 2025 whilst playing for GIANTS Netball.

With an impressive netball resume spanning from the UK Super League, ANZ Championship and most recently the Suncorp Super Netball - Harten was an inaugural player of GIANTS Netball becoming GIANTS player #2 and also served as captain for five seasons.

Following her international retirement, Harten became a specialist coach for the England Roses in the 2024/2025 Taini Jamison Trophy and Australian Test Series campaigns alongside Head Coach Jess Thirlby and former Swift Sharni Norder.

Making the shift into the coaching side of her career, Harten is excited to take the leap in this chapter of her journey.

“It’s such a great opportunity to be a part of this club and take on this next chapter of my own netball journey.

“I did a bit of soul searching after retiring and with having previous coaching experience at England with the national team, I know I need to gain more experience with different coaching styles in different environments.

“I’ve always admired the Swifts and it’s never an easy game against the club. Briony knows what it takes to coach a winning side and make them into winners – that’s something that’s really attractive to me in joining the club. It’s never resting on laurels, it’s always wanting more so as a born competitor that aligns with my values and I’m so excited for Briony to allow me into the environment.”

The 2018 Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist will also be reuniting with England Roses’ teammate Helen Housby in a move she says will only elevate and enhance the fire within the shooting circle.

“I just think it’s so exciting – you’ve got three athletes in different stages of their career which can be such a lethal shooting combination.

“I’ve played with Helen for a long time in England and I know how she operates and what a winner she is but also with explosion of Nweke in the last couple of years – she has the potential to be the world’s best player so it would be amazing to have a hand in that”

NSW Swifts Head Coach Briony Akle is excited about the appointment of Harten and is ready for the netball great to bring her expertise to the club.

“I’m absolute thrilled to have Jo join us here at the Swifts as a specialist coach. Her knowledge of the game is on another level, and she has always been a player that you can never rule out of a game.”

“Her presence is always felt whether she’s on court on not – she’s a natural born leader and a driving force through both her words and actions. She sets a standard of passion and commitment throughout a team and is someone who is wanting to get the best out of her players and will do whatever it takes to get that. We are looking forward to seeing her make an impact at the NSW Swifts.”

Harten will join the NSW Swifts for pre-season training as the players prepare for the opening game against Adelaide Thunderbirds on Saturday 14th March. Don't miss a minute of the action by adding your name to the Membership waitlist for Season 2026.