Hadley to become longest-serving one-Club player

Since their inception in 1997, the Swifts have built a history and legacy based on characters who’ve stood the test of time.

Professional sport is not for the weak of heart, after all, and when you play for a spot in a Suncorp Super Netball roster - where the competition for places is the toughest in Australian sport - any form of longevity could be seen as a success.

Players and coaches come and go, but the Swifts have been one of the few Clubs adept at keeping the core of Championship-winning sides together.

Julie Fitzgerald had it with the Club’s first generation when she moulded a dynasty around a spine consisting of Liz Ellis, Selina Gilsenan and Catherine Cox, and today Briony Akle has seven double-Premiership winners in her ranks.

But this weekend an interesting flame-swap will take place within the Swifts’ setup.

Before arriving in NSW, Romelda Aiken-George was the longest-serving player at a single Club in the Australian National League (across both the ANZ Championship and Super Netball eras) on the back of a sterling decade-and-a-half stint at the Queensland Firebirds.

However, if – as expected – the temporary replacement player makes her competitive Swifts debut against the Magpies in Melbourne on Saturday, that mantle will pass to her new teammate Paige Hadley.

For the Penrith native, whose been a Swifts stalwart since 2012, it’s just another day at the office.

“To be honest I’ve not even thought about it,” the Swifts co-captain said when asked about the milestone.

“But now that you ask, I am so very grateful to have been given the opportunity to play for the Swifts for so long... . this is the Club I supported when I was growing up and I’ve been able to make so many dreams a reality with… the milestone is special but I’m focused on what is to come next.

“Diddy (Aiken-George) has been so strong in the game for so long and if I can continue in the way she has I’ll be really proud.  

“To hit any milestone is special but to be doing it alongside such a legend of the game in Diddy is very humbling.”

Ake said having two players with such longevity in the professional era was a massive boost as the Swifts aim for a third Premiership in five years, and a first since 2021.

“I think the core of the Swifts’ DNA down the years has been keeping collective strength at the forefront of everything we do,” she said.

“I was very lucky to play alongside world-class, world champion Diamonds like Liz Ellis and Ali Broadbent when the Swifts were starting to win Premierships, but no-one was above the team and everyone played for each other. That kept the group together and I see the same thing with our current squad.

“Paige is already a double Champion, Centurion and legend of the Swifts, but she is always looking for the best way to improve us as a group. That kind of mentality has been key to her longevity at this level, and I know she still has so much more she wants to achieve both with the Swifts and Australia.

“When I heard that Paige was going to take over as the longest-serving one-Club player currently in the league I thought how good it is for our group (especially the younger ones) to have two such esteemed players in the setup.”

Hadley may have those 2019 and 2021 Super Netball medals in the cabinet, along with her World Cup and Commonwealth Gold, but each season is a restart moment for the Swifts co-captain.

“It’s a funny thing, some people may think that winning a few titles may ease your appetite for success but if anything it’s only made me and the rest of our team hungrier,” she says.

“Pre-season is very long in this sport but now we’re all systems go. There is no better feeling in netball than putting on a Swifts dress and representing this state, the greats who’ve worn the dress before you and everyone who has gotten you to this point.

“I am really grateful and cherish every moment I get out on court. I’m ready to go again.”

The Swifts’ kick of their 2023 Super Netball campaign against the Magpies in Melbourne on Saturday (5pm AET, watch on Foxtel & Kayo Sports).

Round 2 sees them travel to Adelaide to face the Thunderbirds next weekend with their first home game of the year taking place against the Firebirds at Ken Rosewall Arena on Saturday 1 April (GET TICKETS).