The NSW Swifts would like to thank Sophie Fawns for her massive contribution over the past four seasons. The 21-year-old has informed the Club that she’s decided to explore a new opportunity in 2026.
The Wagga Wagga native debuted for the Swifts as a temporary replacement player in 2022 before earning her first fulltime contract in 2023.
Over the course of her four seasons at the Club, she made 44 appearances including the 2023 Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final.
A talented circle attacker, who came through the Netball NSW pathway and the QBE Swifts Academy, Fawns said she would always cherish her time at the Club she grew up supporting.
“I will always love the Swifts and getting the chance to put on the Red Dress is something I’ll continue to be immensely proud of,” she said.
“I grew up watching the Swifts and dreaming that I could one day play for them and I got the chance to fulfill that dream.
“There have been so many people at the Club and across the Netball NSW pathway who helped me get to this point and I will forever be grateful to them.
“A new opportunity has arisen for me and I feel the time is right to go and explore it and see what I can do in a new environment.
“I want to thank my teammates, the staff and of course the Swifts Members and fans for all of their support.
“I especially want to thank the coaches for their understanding and support of my decision. I will never forget running on to the court to make my debut against the Vixens back in 2022 and scoring my first goal at SSN level.
“At the Club we have the saying ‘Always A Swift’ and part of my heart will always be here. I also know that I’m still young and who knows, maybe one day I’ll get the opportunity to wear the dress again.”
Swifts head coach Briony Akle paid tribute to Fawns and wished her the best for what’s next.
“Sophie is one of the most loved players in our setup and she will definitely be missed in our daily environment,” Akle said.
“She is a young athlete who still has so much to offer and we understand her decision to take a leap of faith and try something new and see where it takes her.
“Her attitude has always been first-class and she’ll approach this with the same infectious enthusiasm we have come to know and love.
“While sporting careers are short, Sophie is still in the early days of hers. Like she said, she may well play for the Swifts again later in her career, but we respect that she’s ready for a change just now.
“We want to wish her all the best and look forward to seeing what comes next. She’ll always be part of our Swifts family.”
