The NSW Swifts’ 2022 Suncorp Super Netball title defence opens with three consecutive home games with head coach Briony Akle calling on Members and fans to make Ken Rosewall Arena a fortress for the team's return to Sydney.
As announced last night, a Grand Final rematch with local rivals the Giants will kick-start the seven-time Premiers' campaign on Saturday 26 August (7pm*) in what will be a night-time showdown at Australian netball's grandest venue.
The 2022 season, which will be broadcast live and ad-free on Fox Sports and Kayo with two free-to-air games every Sunday on Kayo Freebies, includes the introduction of later Saturday timeslots (5pm and 7pm AEST) to ensure community netball participants can attend or watch the Swifts in action.
The Melbourne Vixens make the trip to Sydney in Round 2 (Saturday 2 April, 5pm) before fellow Victorians the Collingwood Magpies land in Round 3 (Saturday 9 April, 7pm).
Akle’s troops hit the road for the first time in Rounds 4 and 5, taking on the Adelaide Thunderbirds (Wednesday 13 April, 8pm) and West Coast Fever (Sunday 17 April, 2pm) before they head back to Sydney for a Round 6 clash with the Sunshine Coast Lightning (Saturday 23 April, 5pm).
Round 7 sees the Swifts up against Queensland opposition for the second week in a row as they fly to Brisbane to take on the Firebirds (Saturday 30 April, 5pm) before it’s the Giants’ turn to host the Premiers in the second NSW Derby of the year in Round 8 (Sunday 8 May, 4pm).
The Thunderbirds are the next visitors to KRA in Round 9 (Sunday 15 May, 4pm) and then the Swifts head back to Queensland for a midweek Round 10 clash with the Lightning (Tuesday 17 May, 6pm).
The Vixens welcome the Swifts in Round 11 when the sides face-off at John Cain Arena (Saturday 21 May, 7pm) before a second Melbourne game in the space of the week against the Magpies in Round 12 (Saturday 28 May, 6pm).
The Premiers finish out the regular season with back-to-back home games in Rounds 13 and 14, first taking on the Fever (Sunday 5 June, 2pm) and finally the Firebirds (Sunday 12 June, 4pm).
The 2022 Finals Series, which is contested between the top four teams at the end of the regular season, starts with the Major and Minor Semi Finals on Saturday and Sunday, 18-19 June, with the Preliminary Final set for Saturday 25 June and the Grand Final taking centre stage one week later on Saturday 2 July.
Akle said momentum would be key to her side’s hopes of securing back-to-back titles for the first time since the 2006-2008 threepeat.
“Last season showed how tiny the margins are between all the teams and we need every advantage that we can muster to keep us at the summit,” she said.
“I am also thrilled that we get a run of home games to kick-off, and finish the regular season with back-to-back home games. If the crowd can bring the noise to match our team’s intensity it will feel like we have an extra player in the hunt for Finals.
“We had Swifts Memberships of over 5,000 in 2021, which is a record for a female sports team in Australia, and we are looking to go beyond that again in 2022.
“The world’s best club netball competition is the best show in town and with more evening and later afternoon games across Saturdays and Sundays it’s easier than ever to head along.”
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2022 NSW Swifts Fixture
- Round 1: Swifts v Giants
Venue: KRA, Saturday 26 March – 7pm
Broadcast: Fox Sports, Kayo
- Round 2: Swifts v Vixens
Venue: KRA, Saturday 2 April – 5pm
Broadcast: Fox Sports, Kayo
- Round 3: Swifts v Magpies
Venue: KRA, Saturday 9 April – 7pm
Broadcast: Fox Sports, Kayo
- Round 4: Thunderbirds v Swifts
Venue: Netball SA Stadium, Wednesday 13 April – 8pm
Broadcast: Fox Sports, Kayo
- Round 5: Fever v Swifts
Venue: RAC Arena, Sunday 17 April – 2pm
Broadcast: Fox Sports, Kayo Freebies
- Round 6: Swifts v Lightning
Venue: KRA, Saturday 23 April – 5pm
Broadcast: Fox Sports, Kayo
- Round 7: Firebirds v Swifts
Venue: Nissan Arena, Saturday 30 April – 5pm
Broadcast: Fox Sports, Kayo
- Round 8: Giants v Swifts
Venue: KRA, Sunday 8 May – 4pm
Broadcast: Fox Sports, Kayo Freebies
- Round 9: Swifts v Thunderbirds
Venue: KRA, Sunday 15 May – 4pm
Broadcast: Fox Sports, Kayo Freebies
- Round 10: Lightning v Swifts
Venue: USC Stadium, Tuesday 17 May – 6pm
Broadcast: Fox Sports, Kayo Freebies
- Round 11: Vixens v Swifts
Venue: John Cain Arena, Saturday 21 May – 7pm
Broadcast: Fox Sports, Kayo
- Round 12: Magpies v Swifts
Venue: John Cain Arena, Saturday 28 May – 6pm
Broadcast: Fox Sports, Kayo
- Round 13: Swifts v Fever
Venue: KRA, Sunday 5 June – 2pm
Broadcast: Fox Sports, Kayo Freebies
- Round 14: Swifts v Firebirds
Venue: KRA, Sunday 12 June, 4pm
Broadcast: Fox Sports, Kayo Freebies
- Finals Series – Sat 18 June – Sat 2 July
*All times AEST
