On the back of her best Suncorp Super Netball season to date, star defender Teigan O’Shannassy has recommitted to the NSW Swifts for 2026.
The 26-year-old, who was recently named in the Australian Diamonds squad as an invitee, won multiple match MVP awards over the course of 2025 as the Swifts bounced back into title contention.
While a back injury ruled her out of the Club’s Finals Series campaign, Swifts head coach Briony Akle said O’Shannassy had already proven herself to be one of the best in the League.
“Teigan’s performances in 2025 were some of the greatest successes we had this year and to have her signed up for 2026 is a real boost for everyone,” she said.
“She was a gamechanger for us at times in the regular season and I think it’s fair to say we missed what she could bring when key moments didn’t go our way at the business end.
“We are blessed to have two of the greatest Swifts ever in Sarah Klau and Maddy Turner in the defensive end, but this year Teigan really arrived and showed that we now have three world-class operators at the back, who can interchange really well and give us a lot of options.
“Despite being injured Teigan was invited into the Diamonds squad and that is a testament to how much respect she has earned this year.
“I’ve coached Teigan from the Netball NSW pathway to the Swifts and to see the growth in an athlete like her is one of the most pleasing aspects of coaching.
“Our aim is pretty simple next season, to return to the top of the pile and Teigan is key to helping us achieve that.”
Having come through the pathway with the Swifts’ former feeder team - the Netball NSW Waratahs (now QBE Swifts Academy) - O’Shannassy initially made her Super Netball debut with local rivals the Giants before returning to the Swifts fold in 2022, going on to play in the 2023 Grand Final.
The Manly Warringah junior said she was excited to don the Red Dress again in 2026.
“I loved every second I was on court this year and am really looking forward to what we can do at the Swifts in 2026,” she said.
“For someone who has grown up in Sydney it’s a really special Club and I want to add my name to the list of Swifts Premiership winners, many of whom I get to share the court with.
“Despite injury ruling me out of the Finals Series I feel I had a really good year, but there is so much more I want to achieve and I am ready to step up another level again.
“As well as winning at title with the Swifts I would love to build on my Diamonds invitation and eventually wear the green and gold. It’s a big goal but at this level you have to dream big and I think the Swifts are the Club that put me in the best position to achieve that.
“It’s going to be a massive year ahead and I cannot wait to get started.”
The Swifts will make further roster announcements for 2026 in due course.
