Entering the 2009 season with high expectations, the NSW Swifts started with a bang with strong performances during the pre-season, particularly at the Sydney Olympic Park Netball Cup which saw them clinch the title with a heart-stopping 49-all draw against 2008 grand finalists, the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic.
While the 2009 regular season didn’t deliver the on-court success the team had hoped for, it did prove that regardless of a win, lose or draw outcome, the support from fans, partners, sponsors and netball family that the NSW Swifts receive is second to none.
With an over-flowing “Red Zone” and the “full-house” sign up at their final two home games, tickets to NSW Swifts home games were, as the advertising implied, the hottest ticket in town.
2009 NSW Swifts Season Highlights:
Six players made their ANZ Championship debut for the NSW Swifts in 2009:
• Samantha May – Round 1 v Canterbury Tactix
• Erin Bell – Round 1 v Canterbury Tactix
• Jessica Mansell – Round 7 v Queensland Firebirds
• Amy Wild – Round 13 v Central Pulse
• Ashlee Mann – Round 14 v Southern Steel
• Courtney Tairi – Round 14 v Southern Steel.
NSW Swifts coach Julie Fitzgerald celebrated her 200th game in charge (inclusive of Sydney 1997–2007 and NSW Swifts) when they played the Queensland Firebirds in Round 7.
NSW Swifts manager Jan Troy celebrated her 200th game (inclusive of Sydney 1997–2007 and NSW Swifts) when they played the Melbourne Vixens in Round 11.
At the end of the regular season (14 rounds):
• Susan Pratley was the highest ranked Australian shooter by percentage – 85%
• Susan Pratley was ranked third on centre pass receives – 247
• Rebecca Bulley was ranked fourth for intercepts – 26.
2009 Final Placings:
1 Melbourne Vixens
2 Adelaide Thunderbirds
3 Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic
4 Southern Steel
5 Queensland Firebirds
6 Canterbury Tactix
7 West Coast Fever
8 Northern Mystics
9 NSW Swifts
10 Central Pulse
2009 NSW Swifts
Catherine Cox (Captain), Sarah Barrett, Erin Bell, Rebecca Bulley, Kimberlee Green, Emma Koster, Jessica Mansell, Susan Pratley, Kimberley Purcell, Vanessa Ware, Amorette Wild.
Julie Fitzgerald – Coach
Tracey Robinson – Assistant Coach
Jan Troy – Manager
Sean Mungovan – Physiotherapist
Bryce Cavanagh – Strength and Conditioning
