Sydney Swifts

Defunct Australian netball team

Sydney Swifts

Founded| 1996
Disbanded| 2007
Based in| Sydney
Region| New South Wales
Head coach| Julie Fitzgerald (1997–2007)
Captain| Catriona Wagg (1997–1999)
Liz Ellis (2000–2007)
Premierships| 4 (2001, 2004, 2006, 2007)
League| Commonwealth Bank Trophy

Uniform

Sydney Swifts were an Australian netball team based in Sydney. Between 1997 and 2007, they represented Netball New South Wales in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy league. Together with Sydney Sandpipers and Hunter Jaegers, they were one of three teams to represent NNSW in the competition. After Melbourne Phoenix, Swifts were the league's second most successful team, winning four premierships and three minor premierships. In 2008, when the Commonwealth Bank Trophy was replaced by the ANZ Championship, Swifts and Jaegers merged to form New South Wales Swifts.

## History[edit]

### Mobil Superleague[edit]

Sydney Swifts evolved from a state league team that represented the Ku-ring-gai area. Between 1994 and 1996, Sydney Ku-ring-gai represented New South Wales in the Mobil Superleague. They were also known as Sydney Cenovis because they were sponsored by Cenovis. The team featured a young Liz Ellis and Catherine Cox and were coached by Julie Fitzgerald. In 1994 and 1996 they were Mobil Superleague semi-finalists.[1][2][3][4][5]

### Commonwealth Bank Trophy[edit]

Between 1997 and 2007, Sydney Swifts played in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy league. Together with Adelaide Ravens, Adelaide Thunderbirds, Melbourne Kestrels, Melbourne Phoenix, Perth Orioles, Queensland Firebirds and Sydney Sandpipers, Swifts were one of the founding members of the league. Together with Sydney Sandpipers and Hunter Jaegers, they were one of three teams to represent Netball New South Wales in the competition. After Melbourne Phoenix, Swifts were the league's second most successful team, winning four premierships in 2001, 2004, 2006 and 2007. Between 2004 and 2006, they also won three successive minor premierships. Swifts head coach throughout the Commonwealth Bank Trophy era was Julie Fitzgerald. Their leading players included Liz Ellis, Alison Broadbent, Catherine Cox, Megan Anderson and Selina Gilsenan.[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] In 2008, when the Commonwealth Bank Trophy was replaced by the ANZ Championship, Swifts and Jaegers merged to form New South Wales Swifts.[8][15]

Regular season statistics
Season  | Position  | Won  | Lost  | Drawn

|
|
|
|

1997[9] | 3rd | 7 | 5 | 2
1998[9] | 3rd | 11 | 3 | 0
1999[10] | 2nd | 11 | 3 | 0
2000[10] | 4th | 9 | 5 | 0
2001[11][16] | 2nd | 11 | 3 | 0
2002[11] | 3rd | 11 | 3 | 0
2003[12] | 2nd | 10 | 4 | 0
2004[12][17] | 1st | 12 | 2 | 0
2005[13][18] | 1st | 12 | 2 | 0
2006[13] | 1st | 14 | 0 | 0
2007[14] | 2nd | 11 | 3 | 0

Minor Premiership and Premiership
Minor Premiership and Runners Up
Premierships
Runners Up

## Grand finals[edit]

Season  | Winners  | Score  | Runners Up  | Venue

|
|
|
|

1998[9][19] | Adelaide Thunderbirds | 48–42 | Sydney Swifts | ETSA Park
2001[7][11][20] | Sydney Swifts | 57–32 | Adelaide Thunderbirds | State Sports Centre
2003[12][21] | Melbourne Phoenix | 47–44 | Sydney Swifts | Sydney Super Dome
2004[13][17][20][22] | Sydney Swifts | 52–51 | Melbourne Phoenix | Sydney Super Dome
2005[13][20][18][23] | Melbourne Phoenix | 61–44 | Sydney Swifts | Vodafone Arena
2006[7][14][24][25] | Sydney Swifts | 65–36 | Adelaide Thunderbirds | Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre
2007[7][14][26][27][28] | Sydney Swifts | 45–37 | Melbourne Phoenix | Acer Arena

## Home venues[edit]

| Years

|

Anne Clark Netball Centre[29] | 1997
State Sports Centre[29] | 1998
Sydney Super Dome[17][18] |
Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre[17][18][30] |
Wollongong Entertainment Centre[17][18][20] | 2005

## Notable former players[edit]

### Internationals[edit]

Australia

* Jane Altschwager
* Megan Anderson
* Erin Bell
* Alison Broadbent

* Catherine Cox
* Liz Ellis
* Mo'onia Gerrard
* Selina Gilsenan

* Kimberlee Green
* Susan Pettitt
* Chelsea Pitman
* Joanne Morgan

|
|

Australia Fast5

* Vanessa Ware
* Amorette Wild

England

* Chelsea Pitman

### Award winners[edit]

Most Valuable Player
Season  | Player

|

1998 | Liz Ellis
2002 | Liz Ellis
2006 [25] | Liz Ellis

Source:[14]

Grand final MVP
Season  | Player

|

2001[11] | Liz Ellis
2004[13] | Catherine Cox
2006[14] | Liz Ellis
2007[14] | Selina Gilsenan

Best New Talent
Season  | Player

|

2001[7][14] | Jane Altschwager

### Captains[edit]

Captains  | Years

|

Catriona Wagg | 1997–1999
Liz Ellis | 2000–2007

Source:[7]

### Most Appearances[edit]

Players  | Matches  | Quarters

|
|

Liz Ellis | 173 | 680
Alison Broadbent[30] | 152 | 562
Catherine Cox | 135 |
Megan Anderson | 111 |
Selina Gilsenan | 121 | 461
Raegan Jackson | 92 |
Susan Pettitt | 68 |
Briony Akle | 53 |
Jane Altschwager | 50 |
Catriona Wagg | 49 |

Sources:[6][7][20][31]

## Head coaches[edit]

Coach  | Years

|

Julie Fitzgerald[6][7] | 1997–2007

Support Staff

Team Manager Jan Troy (1998 - 2006)

Team Physiotherapist Sean Mungovan (1999 - 2007)

## Sponsorship[edit]

Sponsors  | Seasons

|

TAB[7][25][26][29][32] | 1997–2007

## Premierships[edit]

* Commonwealth Bank Trophy
* Winners: 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007: 4
* Runners up: 1998, 2003, 2005: 3
* Minor premierships: 2004, 2005, 2006: 3

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Esso/Mobil Superleague 1985-1996 (page 2)". netballscoop.com. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
2. ^ "Esso/Mobil Superleague 1985-1996 (page 3)". netballscoop.com. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
3. ^ "2008 Annual Report - Netball Australia" (PDF). netball.com.au. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
4. ^ "NSW Swifts: an unhappy history and a fresh start". www.theguardian.com. 20 February 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
5. ^ "A true giant: Julie Fitzgerald set to coach 300th game". www.smh.com.au. 28 April 2018. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
6. ^ a b c "Sydney Swifts - 1997-2007". nswswifts.com.au. 29 November 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
7. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Netball NSW – Annual Report 2007" (PDF). Netball NSW. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
8. ^ a b "Swifts celebrate 25 years by going back to yellow". thenetballpost.com. 4 August 2021. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
9. ^ a b c d "Commonwealth Bank Trophy 1997-2007 (page 1)". netballscoop.com. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
10. ^ a b c "Commonwealth Bank Trophy 1997-2007 (page 2)". netballscoop.com. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
11. ^ a b c d e "Commonwealth Bank Trophy 1997-2007 (page 3)". netballscoop.com. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
12. ^ a b c d "Commonwealth Bank Trophy 1997-2007 (page 4)". netballscoop.com. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
13. ^ a b c d e f "Commonwealth Bank Trophy 1997-2007 (page 5)". netballscoop.com. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
14. ^ a b c d e f g h "Commonwealth Bank Trophy 1997-2007 (page 6)". netballscoop.com. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
15. ^ "Southern Steel faces plenty of travelling in the early rounds". The Southland Times. 12 December 2007. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
16. ^ "Netball Australia Annual Report 2001" (PDF). ausport.gov.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 August 2008. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
17. ^ a b c d e "Netball Australia - Annual Report 04" (PDF). Netball Australia. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
18. ^ a b c d e "Netball Australia - Annual Report 05" (PDF). Netball Australia. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
19. ^ "Adelaide Thunderbirds – History". adelaidethunderbirds.com.au. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
20. ^ a b c d e "2005 Netball NSW – Annual Report" (PDF). Netball NSW. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
21. ^ "Phoenix claim title in front of record crowd". www.abc.net.au. 12 September 2003. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
22. ^ "Swifts take title in thriller". www.abc.net.au. 28 August 2004. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
23. ^ "Phoenix claim fifth netball title". www.abc.net.au. 3 September 2005. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
24. ^ "Swifts win netball grand final". www.smh.com.au. 2 September 2006. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
25. ^ a b c "Netball Australia - Annual Report 06" (PDF). Netball Australia. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
26. ^ a b "Netball Australia – Annual Report 2007" (PDF). netball.com.au. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
27. ^ "Sydney Swifts win final". www.abc.net.au. 19 August 2007. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
28. ^ "Swifts defend national league title". www.abc.net.au. 19 August 2007. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
29. ^ a b c "Home Ground Advantage in the Australian Netball League (Commonwealth Bank Trophy)" (PDF). researchbank.swinburne.edu.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 March 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
30. ^ a b "Swifts Chatter – Match Night Program" (PDF). www.netball.asn.au. 27 April 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
31. ^ "Commonwealth Bank Trophy 1997-2007 (page 7)". netballscoop.com. 12 January 2021. Archived from the original on 1 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
32. ^ "Title contenders confirmed for Commonwealth Bank Trophy finale". www.womensportreport.com. 14 August 2007. Retrieved 13 September 2020.

* v
* t
* e

Commonwealth Bank Trophy

Organising bodies|

* Netball Australia

2007 teams|

* Adelaide Thunderbirds
* AIS Canberra Darters
* Hunter Jaegers
* Melbourne Kestrels
* Melbourne Phoenix
* Perth Orioles
* Queensland Firebirds
* Sydney Swifts

Earlier teams|

* Adelaide Ravens
* Sydney Sandpipers

See also|

* List of Australian netball premiers

Sydney Swifts squads

* v
* t
* e

Sydney Swifts 2001 Commonwealth Bank Trophy (1st Premiership)

Players|

* Kelly Adamson
* Jane Altschwager
* Megan Anderson
* Shay Barley
* Susan Diver-Tuck
* Liz Ellis (c)
* Michelle Gillett
* Kimberlee Gilmour
* Selina Gilsenan
* Raegan Jackson
* Hayley McKivat
* Natalie Sloane
* Julia Symons
* Briony Thornley
* Alison Williams

Coaches|

* Julie Fitzgerald (head coach)

* v
* t
* e

Sydney Swifts 2004 Commonwealth Bank Trophy (2nd Premiership)

Players|

* Briony Akle
* Jane Altschwager
* Megan Anderson
* Sarah Barrett
* Alison Broadbent
* Catherine Cox
* Liz Ellis (c)
* Mo'onia Gerrard
* Selina Gilsenan
* Kimberlee Green
* Vanessa Ware

Coaches|

* Julie Fitzgerald (head coach)

* v
* t
* e

Sydney Swifts 2006 Commonwealth Bank Trophy (3rd Premiership)

Players|

* Erin Bell
* Alison Broadbent
* Catherine Cox
* Megan Dehn
* Liz Ellis (c)
* Mo'onia Gerrard
* Selina Gilsenan
* Kimberlee Green
* Adelaide Johnson
* Samantha May
* Jackie Murphy
* Chelsea Pitman
* Susan Pratley
* Leah Shoard
* Joanna Sutton
* Vanessa Ware

Coaches|

* Julie Fitzgerald (head coach)

* v
* t
* e

Sydney Swifts 2007 Commonwealth Bank Trophy (4th Premiership)

Players|

* Erin Bell
* Catherine Cox (vc)
* Megan Dehn
* Liz Ellis (c)
* Mo'onia Gerrard
* Selina Gilsenan
* Kimberlee Green
* Adelaide Johnson
* Jackie Murphy
* Chelsea Pitman
* Susan Pratley
* Kimberley Purcell
* Joanna Sutton
* Julia Symons
* Vanessa Ware
* Amorette Wild

Coaches|

* Julie Fitzgerald (head coach)

* v
* t
* e

New South Wales Swifts

Est. 2007 in Sydney, New South Wales

Premierships (3)|

* 2008
* 2019
* 2021

Seasons|

| ANZ Championship|

* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016

|

Suncorp Super Netball|

* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021

Home venues|

* Ken Rosewall Arena
* Netball Central
* Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre

Captains|

* Catherine Cox
* Mo'onia Gerrard
* Kimberlee Green
* Abbey McCulloch
* Maddy Proud
* Paige Hadley

Head coaches|

* Julie Fitzgerald
* Lisa Beehag
* Rob Wright
* Briony Akle

See also|

* Netball New South Wales
* NNSW Waratahs
* NNSW Blues
* Hunter Jaegers
* Sydney Swifts

* v
* t
* e

Netball in New South Wales

Governing bodies|

* Netball New South Wales

Teams|

| SSN|

* Giants Netball
* New South Wales Swifts

|

ANC|

* Giants Netball Academy

PL|

* The Capital Spirit
* Central Coast Heart
* ERNA Hawks
* GWS Fury
* Manly Warringah Sapphires
* North Shore United
* Panthers Netball
* South Coast Blaze
* Sutherland Stingrays
* UTS Randwick Sparks

Defunct teams|

| ANL|

* Canberra GIANTS
* NNSW Waratahs
* NNSW Blues

|

CBT|

* Hunter Jaegers
* Sydney Sandpipers
* Sydney Swifts

Leagues|

* Netball NSW Premier League
* Central Murray
* Murray
* Ovens & Murray
* Picola & District
* Riverina
* Upper Murray

Venues|

* Broadmeadow Basketball Stadium
* Glen Willow Regional Sports Stadium
* International Convention Centre Sydney
* Netball Central
* Newcastle Entertainment Centre
* State Sports Centre
* Sydney SuperDome
* Wollongong Entertainment Centre

Tournaments hosted|

* 1991 World Netball Championships
* 2015 Netball World Cup

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