NSW underage State Team representative and Tumut native Grace Whyte has been selected by the Swifts as a Training Partner for the 2023 Suncorp Super Netball season.
The 2022 National Netball Championships 17U Grand Final MVP, Whyte has been elevated from the QBE Swifts Academy to take her place in the senior squad.
Aged just 17, Whyte is a dual netball and basketball State representative and is a specialist shooter.
She was vice-captain of the Gold Medal-winning NSW 17U team at this year’s Nationals in Tasmania and was also selected in the Australian 17U Squad.
Whyte said she was humbled by opportunity to be part of the seven-time Premiers’ senior setup.
“As a regional athlete and as someone who grew up watching the Swifts on TV, this is a dream come true for me,” she said.
“I have loved being a part of the NSW State Team Program, the Netball NSW Premier League and the QBE Swifts Academy which has helped me get to this level, as well as all my junior coaches since I started playing.
“I also really want to thank my family – especially my mum – for being so supportive. I wouldn’t be here without them.
“Watching someone like Sophie Fawns come on the scene this year was a real inspiration for me and I cannot wait to have the opportunity to train alongside her, as well as Helen Housby, Sam Wallace and Romelda Aiken-George.
“I am also very proud, like Sophie, to be representing regional athletes and to show them that they can really aspire to getting a chance like this.
“Now I want to work hard and learn as much as I can to try and reach the next level.”
Swifts head coach Briony Akle welcomed Whyte and congratulated her on her selection.
“Grace was the standout player at the 2022 17U Nationals in Tassie this year and we are delighted to see her elevated from the Academy,” she said.
“The Swifts have a long and proud history of seeing regional NSW athletes come through and make it to the top level, from Susan Pettitt and Jackie Byrne, to Sophie Fawns.
“Grace is one of the best talents in the Australian netball pathway and she has a great attitude. She will have a host of world-class athletes to learn from and this will be huge for her development.
“It takes a massive amount of effort and commitment to get to this point and Grace is very deserving of her opportunity.”
Whyte joins Aiken-George, Audrey Little, Lili Gorman-Brown, Chelsea Mann and Clare Iongi in the Swifts’ Training Partner group for 2023. Further announcements will be made in due course.
