The NSW Swifts have been forced to into a major squad reshuffle ahead of this weekend’s pre-season trip to New Zealand due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the main playing group.
As part of preparations for their 2023 Suncorp Super Netball campaign, the Swifts are due to depart Sydney for Invercargill on Friday ahead of clashes with ANZ Premiership sides Southern Steel and the Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse (formerly Central Pulse).
The trip, which also includes a community clinic, is set to stage the Swifts’ first games against the Steel (Sunday) and Pulse (Tuesday) since the all-Australian Super Netball competition replaced the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship at the end of 2016.
The end result means that the Swifts are unable to send the majority of the Club’s rostered athletes, however, a number of 2023 Training Partners and QBE Swifts Academy athletes have been elevated.
To fulfill fixtures, the Swifts’ travelling group will also be supported by local talent from the Invercargill region.
NSW Swifts Executive General Manager Kath Tetley said the decision was made to ensure the wellbeing of athletes from all three Clubs.
“Invercargill has some of the best netball fans in the world, and we are still very excited about playing in front of them to renew rivalries with both the Steel and Pulse, who we have the utmost respect for,” she said.
“All of our senior players who’ve been ruled out are gutted that we have had to make this call but with a significant COVID-19 outbreak in our senior setup we cannot, in good conscience, travel and put other teams at risk.
“We would like to thank the Steel for their understanding. We were exceptionally honoured to receive an invitation to travel to Southland and they have been fantastic to work alongside in what’s been a difficult situation.
“Luckily we have been able to elevate some Training Partners and Academy players to ensure the Club can still travel for what will be a fantastic festival of netball in the deep south of NZ.
“These are the Swifts and Australian Diamonds of tomorrow and it will be an amazing opportunity for them in one of the most passionate netball environments in the world.
“We also cannot wait to give some local talent in NZ the chance to come and be a part of our setup for a few days. Given their assistance it will be our goal to make it a wonderful learning experience for them too.”
Steel chief executive Sonya Fleming said it was a tough blow.
“Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we are still not completely immune to the impact of COVID on our events and we certainly feel for the Swifts having to face this challenge,” she said.
“To their credit, they have remained steadfast in their determination to continue with these preseason games and provide the Steel with a strong opponent for our players to test their mettle against.”
TRAVELLING SWIFTS SQUAD
- SHOOTERS
- Sophie Fawns
- Lauren Woods
- Kiara Bloor
- MIDCOURTERS
- Lili Gorman-Brown
- Charlotte Smith
- DEFENDERS
- Kelea Iongi
- Dakota Thomas
TICKETS:
