Swifts Centurion Maddy Turner has been appointed as Co-Captain of the NSW Swifts alongside Paige Hadley for the 2025 season.
The double premiership winner (2019, 2021) and four-time Grand Finalist was elevated to the role in the absence of Maddy Proud, who is expecting her first baby later this year.
“It’s massive shoes to fill with Proudy not being there - I've always admired her leadership with Paige, how they’ve connected the group and driven culture - they've been a great team,” Turner said.
Known for her thoughtful and collective-first mentality, Turner commands the attention of the entire room when she speaks.
“My biggest quality in this leadership space is being true to myself as it’s one of the team’s values: being true. So, living to that, as well as having that real care for my teammates.”
Originally from Adelaide, the 29-year-old defender made the move to the Swifts in 2016 and grew as a rookie under the likes of Sharni Layton and Laura Langman into one of the most respected players in Suncorp Super Netball playing today.
“It's super special to be appointed as Co-Captain as well as a full circle moment, because when I look back on my career when I moved here in 2016 as a 20-year-old, I was shy and reserved and never saw myself as a leader.”
Turner has been a senior player for many years and in 2019, after her first Premiership win, was elevated to the leadership team.
“Maddy has always been in the leadership group and is a very considerate and kind person - she has a really nice way of bringing the group together,” fellow Co-Captain Hadley said.
The 32-year-old, who has been a Co-Captain since 2020, is looking forward to leading the Swifts for the sixth time and has high expectations for the 2025 season.
“It’s an amazing group to lead – an absolute privilege. And it's an amazing club to be a part of,“ Hadley added.
She describes being Co-Captain of the Swifts as a lot more than flipping the coin on game day.
“A lot goes on behind the scenes – important conversations with the coaching staff, setting the intensity at training and the standard with recovery, player appearances and being out in the community, all those sort of things – and it’s an absolute privilege to do.”
Hadley strives to lead by example and bring out the best in those around her.
“I set really high standards for myself first and foremost and then for the group around me. I'm a very competitive person and I want this club to do really well, I want another flag hanging up in our stadium.”
The veteran centre brings her passion every time she takes the court and sees Turner as complimenting her leadership style.
“You know, I'm very passionate on game day, very passionate for this group. I bring that rev up while Turner is very calm on court. She is the ying to my yang.”
The Swifts’ start their Suncorp Super Netball season on Sunday 6 April against the West Coast Fever in Perth. The first home game takes place the following week on Saturday 12 April against the Melbourne Mavericks.
