They play ... netball. Won the inaugural ANZ Championship title in 2008, minor premiers in 2010 and runners-up in 2015-2016. During the current Super Netball era, the Swifts have been champions in 2019 and 2021 and were minor premiers in 2023 and runners-up. Also made the playoffs in 2020 and 2025.
I support them because ... I needed an Australian team to support when the transtasman domestic competition began and my hunch turned out to be great when they won. But I became a diehard fan during the Briony Akle era. Akle, a former Swift herself who took over the reigns in 2017, just has a knack of getting the best out of her players. They consistently play good netball, have a great fan base and make you want to get in behind them.
You should also be a Swifts fan ... because if a fired-up Helen Housby shouting at the crowd does not get you excited, nothing will. And we have Grace Nweke. And fan favourite "mop man" does a fantastic halftime show.
My favourite moment ... so many to choose from. The 2019 and 2021 titles are up there. Watching them live in 2024 is too. But the comeback in the preliminary final against the West Coast Fever in 2023 was a beauty. Trailing 51-46 heading into the final quarter, young Sophie Fawns came on with five minutes to go, started sinking two-pointers and mounted the comeback. Romelda Aiken-George was pacing the sideline as the Swifts levelled 64-64 with one minute to spare. And when Fawns sunk the winning shot to win 65-64, Housby flew through the court with her arms in the air as her team-mates piled on top of each other. Pure elation.
My all-time favourite player is ... Paige Hadley. The midcourter has been the heartbeat of the team since 2012 and grew up idolising the Swifts. Co-captain, never puts a foot wrong and a player every one wants on their side. Overtook the great Liz Ellis as the second-most capped Swift with 185 games this season. Hadley sits behind another great in Cath Cox, who played 192 games. Cox and Mo’onia Gerard were also up there for me.
My favourite current player is ... Helen Housby. There is just something about watching the English Rose glide through court and then go savage after nailing a two-pointer that makes you believe anything is possible.
The future for my team is ... really strong. All starting players are returning except for Hadley, who is expecting her first child. But Maddy Proud is back from maternity leave and she and Hadley formed one of the strongest attacking midcourt pairings in the competition. Proud will suit up alongside former Southern Steel player Gina Crampton, who is a strong replacement for Hadley. And with Akle at the helm, how can the Swifts go wrong? Jump on the bandwagon #alwaysaswift.
