Seasoned international midcourter Gina Crampton has signed with the NSW Swifts ahead of the 2026 Suncorp Super Netball season.
A World Cup winner with the New Zealand Silver Ferns, Crampton temporarily replaces Swifts co-captain Paige Hadley who is set to welcome her first child in early 2026.
A world-class netballer with over 70 caps for New Zealand, the 33-year-old has spent the last two years in the SSN environment with the Giants, however, she missed the 2025 season after becoming a mother herself for the first time.
Before moving across the ditch, Crampton initially made her name with the Invercargill-based Southern Steel in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship before making the move to Auckland to play for the Northern Stars.
She debuted for the Silver Ferns in 2015 and played a starring role in their 2019 World Cup success in Liverpool and was also part of a Bronze Medal campaign at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Swifts Head Coach Briony Akle welcomed Crampton to the Club:
“Gina is one of the most respected midcourters in the world game and it’s our pleasure to welcome her to the Swifts.
“When you go to market to find a replacement for an athlete like Paige Hadley you need someone who’s been at the very pinnacle of the game and stood out, and Gina has done that.
“With a World Cup winners medal under her belt she is in a very elite group of players and that experience is going to be key for us as we bid to bring another Super Netball title back to our fans.
“As a new mum it is also our goal to ensure she’s fully supported to achieve her dreams on court and also get the right work-life balance.
“I am really excited to see how she combines in the middle with Maddy Proud, Tayla Fraser and Grace Whyte when we all arrive back for pre-season training later this year.”
Crampton said signing for the Swifts was an honour:
“At the start of my career we played against the Swifts in the ANZ Championship and they were always such a force. Nothing’s changed since then, they’ve always been such a formidable team and successful Club.
“The 2025 season was full of so many positives for them and by keeping their core group together it can only mean great things for 2026.
“Paige is a world class player and I’m so excited for her to welcome her first child. Playing against her over the years I know how much of an impact she has on teams and no doubt she will continue to in a different capacity next year.
“I’m so excited by this opportunity and to be able to train and play alongside so many greats of the game is a true honour for me.
“I would like to thank Briony and her coaching team for giving me this opportunity and I can’t wait to get started with this special Club.”
