It was a year in which the NSW Swifts’ bid for successive Suncorp Super Netball titles fell short but, despite numerous setbacks, the seven-time Premiers displayed a resolve few teams can match.
Of course, with so much success achieved by the core of the playing group anything short of a Premiership may seem like a disappointment.
The 2022 dream of back-to-back Premierships for the first time since 2008 fell agonisingly short when the Swifts missed out on a fourth-successive Finals appearance by a goal percentage difference of just 0.19%.
It very literally came down to the last shot of the very last game of the regular season.
Did it hurt? Of course, it did. With seven double-Premiership winners in the current squad, settling has never been an option for the Swifts.
It must be acknowledged, there were circumstances beyond the team’s control.
The loss of Sam Wallace – perhaps the game’s greatest attacker – in Round 1 meant the team had to reinvent how they played the game, and do it in a condensed season to boot.
To most pundits in the media, Wallace going down meant season over. But to this group it was simply a case of play on, and find another way to win.
Head coach Briony Akle said that while missing out on a third title in four years “sucked”, once the dust had settled, she could see the silver linings.
Lesser teams would’ve taken the pundits’ words and ran with them, using them as an easy-out, but not this team.
The Swifts may not have been Premiers in 2022, but their championship DNA didn’t go anywhere.
Think of how Helen Housby stepped up. Her connection with Wallace has been almost telepathic for years, but in 2022 she had to assume the main shooting role and bring two rookies with her. The greatest players never stop learning. Just think how much 2022 will benefit Housby as a leader.
For Kelly Singleton and Sophie Fawns, to be thrust into the spotlight like they were was going to ask big questions of their ability, but they answered everything that was thrown at them, and more.
In defence Sarah Klau and Maddy Turner continued their world-class partnership, while Teigan O’Shannassy arrived at the level her coaches knew she was capable of reaching.
Tayla Fraser continued to demonstrate her adaptability by providing championship-winning cover in three key midcourt positions, while Allie Smith’s contagious energy when wreaking havoc in opposition mid-courts was a highlight.
Paige Hadley remained the embodiment of what it means to be a Swift, and Maddy Proud demonstrated that she, alongside her fellow co-captain, is one of the world’s best midcourters.
Alongside Fawns, Lili Gorman-Brown graduated from the QBE Swifts Academy to earn her first Swifts cap. Both debuted against the Melbourne Vixens in Round 2.
Turner also became the Swifts’ 10th centurion since the Club was founded in 1997, when she took the court against Collingwood in Round 12.
Instead of settling, the Swifts once again rode the waves of adversity to remain contenders against all odds, and their supporters loved them for it!
Despite the challenges, Members turned up week-in and week-out. The Swifts continued to have the largest Membership base of any Club in the League, and the highest Game Day attendance
That shows a connection few sports teams can boast.
In fact, the final regular season game against the Firebirds was a demonstration of how much the Swifts mean to the wider netball and NSW sporting communities: a jam-packed Ken Rosewall Arena living and breathing every goal, every intercept, every Super Shot.
The conclusion to season 2022 was not an end, but rather a beginning. Class is permanent, and the lessons gained will prove invaluable.
Always A Swift. A Swift does more!
2022 NSW Swifts Roster:
- Tayla Fraser
- Paige Hadley (co-captain)
- Helen Housby
- Sarah Klau
- Teigan O’Shannassy
- Maddy Proud (co-captain)
- Kelly Singleton
- Allie Smith
- Maddy Turner
- Sam Wallace
- Permanent Replacement Player: Sophie Fawns
2022 Training Partners:
- Sophie Fawns (elevated to main Roster)
- Lili Gorman-Brown
- Audrey Little
- Chelsea Mann
- Dakota Thomas
- Laura Towell
Coaching Staff
- Head Coach: Briony Akle
- Assistant Coach: Bec Bulley
- Strength & Conditioning: Lachlan Wilmot & Brendan Hoyer
- Specialist Shooting Coach: Natalie Avellino
- Performance Analyst: Bjorn Maddern
- Physio: Vicki Locke
- Sports Psychologist: Karen Haddad
- Operations Manager: Dani Mace
Administration Staff
- Executive General Manager: Tracey Scott (Feb-June), Kath Tetley (June-Dec)
- Membership Manager: Sarah Wheeler
- Membership & Fan Engagement Coordinators: Casey Reynolds & Francesca Caush
- Events Manager: Maddy Tatham
- Communications Manager: Shane de Barra
- Video & Digital Coordinator: Madeline Ibrahim
