If you attended the NSW Swifts’ Round 3 win over the Queensland Firebirds at Ken Rosewall Arena last weekend, you may have noticed some of the Club’s most celebrated names holding pride of place in the stadium’s upper bowl.
The creation of the new Centurion Stands at the venue was not a last-minute idea, but a by-product of a wider heritage project the Club has been undertaking since the Swifts’ 25th Anniversary in 2021.
That Premiership year saw the reintroduction of the famous yellow dress, previously worn from 1997 to 2007 when the Club was known as the Sydney Swifts.
The inaugural Heritage Dress was so popular with the players (past and present) and fans alike that Heritage Round is now a staple of the Swifts’ calendar. In fact, other foundation Clubs such as the Adelaide Thunderbirds have followed suit with their own retro uniforms.
The Centurion stands, named in honour of the 10 Swifts who have so far played more than 100 competitive games for the Club, are the most recent addition to the Club’s Game Day Experience.
Swifts Executive General Manager Kath Tetley, who has worked in the game for many years, explains why having these names on display is so important.
“I have always said that the Swifts are the ‘Yankees of netball’ and they have the history, legacy and success to back that up,” Tetley explains.
“When it comes to women in sport in NSW the Swifts have been the pioneers that led the charge, and with so much competition for eyeballs in the sports marketplace today education surrounding the original pioneers and game-changers is vital.
“Netball has a world-class league and the top female athletes in the country. It also has the only elite sporting competition in the country that was built by, and for, women.
“Where would the battle for equality in NSW team sport be without the likes of Liz Ellis, Catherine Cox, Kim Green or Paige Hadley?
“At the Swifts we are fortunate to count some of the greatest-ever netballers in our Centurions Club, which currently has nine players but will continue to grow in the seasons ahead.
“As the most successful Club since the development of the National League in 1997 (currently Suncorp Super Netball) we want to inspire our entire NSW netball community by showcasing those who put women on the sporting map.”
In 2021 the Swifts also created a new Club Number to unite the two eras of the Sydney and NSW Swifts.
It means when a Swift debuts for the Club today they will be awarded two numbers: their NSW Swifts debut number, and their Club Number which combines the Yellow and Red Eras.
Tetley said head coach Briony Akle had been instrumental in her support of the heritage project.
“Briony is a real Swifts legend who won as a player and now has come through as a head coach and succeeded too. She was there in the early days of the Club under Julie Fitzgerald and played with many of our Centurions.
“Her passion for highlighting that the Swifts are not just a set of current players, but a collective of past and present athletes, coaches, staff, members and fans has been fantastic and allowed the project to thrive.
“We have a lot more planned for the future and I encourage all fans to read more about our wonderful history in our website, and visit our Centurion page.”
- For more Swifts History please CLICK HERE
- For tickets to the Swifts' Heritage Round game against Collingwood please CLICK HERE
