The ANZ Championship gets better every year with 2010 filled with more nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat netball than ever before.
The NSW Swifts made history again in 2010, entering the finals series undefeated in home and away games, a record 13 straight wins in the regular season. Despite being defeated in the finals, it was an incredible turn-around after a disappointing 2009 season and the Swifts finished 2010 in third place.
“We were so happy initially with our performance this year,” said NSW Swifts coach Julie Fitzgerald. “Going through the season undefeated was a sensational rebound from the 2009 season, but we were so disappointed by the end of the finals series.”
In 2010, the NSW Swifts line-up saw a number of notable additions. England co-captain Sonia Mkoloma, regarded as one of the best defenders in international netball, joined the Swifts, causing much excitement among fans. Relative newcomer Courtney Tairi returned to the team; Courtney had enjoyed a taste of playing with the Swifts in 2009 when she debuted in round 14.
Lara Welham returned to championship netball this year, boosting the Swifts’ shooting ranks and Ashleigh Brazill, well-known in netball circles for her aerial ability, was a dynamic addition to the Swifts’ midcourt.
Although all the players excelled in the 2010 competition, the performance of a number stood out and these players swept up a number of awards and accolades.
Rebecca Bulley played outstanding netball and was honoured by the league and the NSW Swifts, named ANZ Championship Holden Player of the Year, the NSW Swifts QBE Player of the Year and the Member’s Player of the Year. Popular centre court player Kimberlee Green was named the Players’ Player of the Year.
“It’s so difficult to single out a player for outstanding performance,” Julie said. “Bec Bulley cleaned up the awards which she deserved after a wonderful year. Kim Green was sensational; Kim Smith had her strongest year yet and Susan Pratley was Miss Reliability. We realised how much we relied on Vanessa Ware after she was injured. The bench players improved remarkably over the course of the year.”
The base of enthusiastic fans and supporters of the ANZ Championship, and the NSW Swifts in particular, continued to grow in 2010. Positive media coverage and televised games helped to bring the ANZ Championship, the teams and the players into the homes and hearts of netball players and supporters across Australia. The growing fan base of the NSW Swifts was vocal at every home game, decked out in blue and red and waving banners and homemade signs.
2010 Final Placings
1 Adelaide Thunderbirds
2 Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic
3 NSW Swifts
4 Southern Steel
5 Queensland Firebirds
6 Northern Mystics
7 Melbourne Vixens
8 West Coast Fever
9 Central Pulse
10 Canterbury Tactix
2010 NSW Swifts
Catherine Cox (Captain), Ashleigh Brazill, Rebecca Bulley, Kristy Durheim, Kimberlee Green, Samantha May, Sonia Mkoloma, Susan Pratley, Kimberley Purcell, Courtney Tairi, Vanessa Ware, Lara Welham, Amorette Wild.
Julie Fitzgerald – Coach
Rob Wright – Assistant Coach
Angela Kerr – Manager
Sean Mungovan – Physiotherapist
Paula Peralta – Physiotherapist
Bryce Cavanagh – Strength and Conditioning
