Doltone House on Jones Bay Wharf in Sydney was the place to be on Friday night as the greatest names in NSW Swifts history gathered to celebrate the Club’s 30th Anniversary Dinner.
Coinciding with the Swifts’ Annual Heritage match, when the team wears the Yellow Dress the Club donned when it was founded as the Sydney Swifts in 1997, it was a night filled with celebration, reflection, joy and anticipation.
Over the course of the evening each of the Club’s 13 Centurions to date were celebrated based on the era in which they played their 100th Game for the Swifts.
The following players were honoured:
- Suncorp Super Netball era: Paige Hadley, Maddy Turner, Sarah Klau, Helen Housby, Maddy Proud.
- ANZ Championship era: Kim Green, Susan Pettitt, Vanessa Ware
- Commonwealth Bank Trophy era: Liz Ellis, Cath Cox, Ali Broadbent, Megan Anderson, Selina Gilsenan.
Every Centurion with the exception of Gilsenan was present, however, she did send a video message from New Zealand where she is now based.
Also celebrated on the night were the Club’s Centurion Coaches, who have won a combined seven Premierships between them.
Foundation Coach Julie Fitzgerald and current Head Coach Briony Akle said the Swifts celebrating this milestone was hugely important to acknowledge the Club’s humble beginnings and the success of the powerhouse it has become today.
Netball NSW Chair Sallianne Faulkner said:
"From little things great things grow and the Swifts have been the foundation upon which all female professional sports clubs in Sydney and across NSW have been built.
"Netball has always led the way for women in sport in this nation, and like former Swifts defender Sharni Layton said without Clubs like like the Swifts, Thunderbirds and Vixens and Netball’s National League there would be no NRLW, no AFLW, no WBBL.
"Clubs like the Swifts proved that women could build something by themselves and make it a world-class product, and at the same time create world-class ambassadors and leaders who transcend their sport.
"I am exceptionally proud be a part of the Club, as is who attended."
