What a ride 2023 was for the NSW Swifts.
The Club lives by the mantra: Inspired by History, Driven by Legacy. And while everyone was heartbroken by missing out on a third Premiership in five years by the narrowest of margins in the 2023 decider, no-one could deny the team only strengthened the Swifts’ reputation as leaders of women and leaders in sport.
A fifth Grand Final in nine years, record crowd numbers and a nation of netball fans brought on a journey that had fans on the edge of their seats right up until the final second of extra time. That’s what the 2023 season will be remembered for.
No stone was left unturned in pursuit of the Swifts’ eighth national title. The majority of the group had won Grand Finals with humility in recent times, but they accepted the 2023 loss with grace and class.
If the epitome of dignity ever needed an illustration, you only had to look at Maddy Proud, Paige Hadley and Briony Akle speaking to the crowd and media in the wake of the Grand Final loss in Melbourne in July.
They epitomised who the Swifts are. Win or lose they show up – that is the Swifts way. A Club of world-class athletes and coaches, backed by a support team, staff and passionate fan base which lives and breathes every goal, intercept and centre-pass.
The Swifts remain the most successful Club in National League history and - as General Manager Kath Tetley says daily: “The Swifts are the New York Yankees of netball”.
And boy did they entertain us: Along with Proud and Hadley, each and every Swift delivered and then some.
From the defence of Sarah Klau, Maddy Turner and Teigan O’Shannassy, the midcourt dynamism of Allie Smith and Tayla Fraser to the attacking prowess of Helen Housby, Sophie Fawns and Romelda Aiken-George, each player emerged from the season with standout moments.
Sam Wallace may have been ruled out with injury, but her infectious energy and mentoring proved invaluable, while the rise of NSW juniors Lili Gorman-Brown and Kelea Iongi showcased the depth of the squad.
The highlights in 2023 were many:
- Beating the Fever in Perth and the Vixens in Melbourne – that is no easy feat
- The Preliminary Final – the Sophie Fawns rev-up of the crowd
- Romelda and baby Gianna, how they captured our hearts in 2023
- Full houses at Ken Rosewall Arena
- Winning the Sargeant-McKinnis Cup, beating the Giants twice to take the Carole Sykes Trophy both times.
- Taking the Minor Premiership
While the quest for Premiership No.8 may have fallen just short no season can ever be defined by one game, and the group’s proven champion quality was without question.
But, a Champion Club rebounds. Many of the characters in this current group have already etched their names in Swifts folklore and some of their greatest days in the Club’s dress are yet to come.
2023 was remarkable for all kinds of reasons and already the excitement ahead of 2024 is palpable.
FIXTURES & RESULTS
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ROUND
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FIXTURE: Home v Away
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W-L-D
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Round 1
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Collingwood Magpies 71, NSW Swifts 63
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0-1-0
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Round 2
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Adelaide Thunderbirds 25, NSW Swifts 25
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0-1-1
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Round 3
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NSW Swifts 74, Queensland Firebirds 71
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1-1-1
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Round 4
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NSW Swifts 67, West Coast Fever 75
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1-2-1
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Round 5
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Sunshine Coast Lightning 63, NSW Swifts 64
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2-2-1
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Round 6
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NSW Swifts 67, Melbourne Vixens 66
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3-2-1
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Round 7
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Giants Netball 64, NSW Swifts 67
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4-2-1
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Round 8
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NSW Swifts 67, Sunshine Coast Lightning 63
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5-2-1
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Round 9
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West Coast Fever 64, NSW Swifts 65
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6-2-1
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Round 10
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NSW Swifts 85, Collingwood Magpies 56
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7-2-1
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Round 11
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Melbourne Vixens 62, NSW Swifts 70
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8-2-1
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Round 12
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NSW Swifts 68, Giants Netball 63
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9-2-1
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Round 13
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Queensland Firebirds 65, NSW Swifts 78
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10-2-1
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Round 14
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NSW Swifts 57, Adelaide Thunderbirds 60
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10-3-1
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Major Semi
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NSW Swifts 62, Adelaide Thunderbirds 64
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10-4-1
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Prelim Final
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NSW Swifts 65, West Coast Fever 64
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11-4-1
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Grand Final
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Adelaide Thunderbirds 60, NSW Swifts 59
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11-5-1
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2022 NSW Swifts Roster
Sophie Fawns, Tayla Fraser, Paige Hadley (co-captain), Helen Housby, Sarah Klau, Teigan O’Shannassy, Maddy Proud (co-captain), Allie Smith, Maddy Turner, Sam Wallace. Permanent Replacement Player: Romelda Aiken-George.
2022 Training Partners
Lili Gorman-Brown, Kelea Iongi, Audrey Little, Chelsea Mann, Dakota Thomas, Grace Whyte.
High Performance Staff
Head Coach: Briony Akle
Assistant Coach: Natalie Avellino
Strength & Conditioning: Lachlan Wilmot & Brendan Hoyer
Performance Analyst: Maddy Stewart
Physio: Vicki Locke
Sports Psychologist: Karen Haddad
Operations Manager: Danielle Mace
Doctor: Dr. Peter Lorentzos
Player Welfare Officer: Ash Fong
Sports Scientist: Greta Conlan
Administration Staff
Executive General Manager: Kath Tetley
Events Manager: Maddy Tatham
Events Coordinator: Ashleigh Tench
Communications Manager: Shane de Barra
Video & Social Producer: Lauren Jones
Membership Manager: Sarah Wheeler
Membership and Ticketing Coordinator: Casey Reynolds
Fan Engagement Coordinator: Francesca Caush
Corporate Partnerships Manger: Jen Silva
Shared service with Giants Netball
GM Commercial: Yael Reed
Marketing: Lucy Davis
Graphic Design: Kylie Hyde
