It is a special week for the NSW Swifts with the Club celebrating its annual Heritage Round against fellow Foundation Club the Adelaide Thunderbirds on Saturday night.
A highlight of the Club calendar since being introduced in 2021 (when the Swifts turned 25), Heritage Week will see past players, coaches and staff celebrated across the Swifts channels over the course of the next seven days, and in-venue on Saturday night.
The players may have already worn their 2025 Heritage Dress in the Derby win against the Giants over a week ago, but it will take on extra meaning on Saturday with a host of Club Alumni set to be in attendance when the seven-time Premiers host the current reigning Premiers.
“Without Clubs like the Swifts and the other Foundation Teams the Suncorp Super Netball League would not be the No.1 female sports league in the country and it is vital we always celebrate where we come from," Executive General Manager Jeremy Butler said.
“Saturday night’s game against the Thunderbirds, who have been big rivals since the Swifts started out, is a fitting contest and I would encourage everyone to come along and join us for a special occasion.
"It's my first Heritage Round and I'm looking forward to the celebrations with our former players as we reflect on the great success this Club has had over the years and were it hopes to go in the future.”
Since the formation of the Swifts in 1997 over 100 players have donned either the inaugural yellow and blue dress of the Sydney Swifts (1997-2007), or the famous red dress the Club has worn since rebranding as the NSW Swifts in 2008.
While the vast majority of players come from NSW, the Swifts are proud to have had some of the greatest international talent in the history of netball represent the club too.
The Yellow Heritage dress pays tribute to the colour scheme worn in the Sydney Swifts era when Club icons such as Liz Ellis AM, Ali Broadbent and Catherine Cox AM were household names across the state.
Current mentor Briony Akle, who won titles with the Swifts as a player in 2001 and 2004 before delivering two Premierships as head coach, said the prominence of Heritage Round on the calendar made her exceptionally proud.
“This was a project that we started in 2021 and to see how much it is embraced, not just by former players but Members and fans too, brings me real joy.
“The early Swifts had to make huge sacrifices to put this Club on the map and without their work we wouldn’t be playing to big crowds every week.
“I think the first Swifts game took place over at the old Anne Clarke Centre in Lidcombe and today we play at Ken Rosewall Arena. That is a pretty great indicator of the growth but without those early seeds nothing would have been possible.
“This year will bring the curtain down on a third decade of the Swifts and we are doing our upmost to try and ensure it’s a successful one before we look ahead to the next.
“That is why special Heritage Week is so special. Because it reminds you that no matter if the going is tough, the Swifts have always risen again and our history is a testament to this.”
