Sam Wallace-Joseph on way out of NSW Swifts in Super Netball shock | Net Gains

After sitting out the past two matches, Trinidad and Tobago international Sam Wallace-Joseph has all but certainly played her last game for the NSW Swifts.

Sam Wallace-Joseph has all but certainly played her last game for the NSW Swifts, with the international goaler’s management in discussions with the Super Netball club over a breakdown in the relationship between the player and team.

The Swifts issued a statement on Friday confirming Wallace-Joseph would not play in Saturday’s round 9 match against the Sunshine Coast Lightning “due to a private matter”.

The Trinidad and Tobago international, who sustained a major knee injury in the opening round of the 2022 season, which kept her out of play for almost two years, is neither injured, nor ill.

But she has sat out the past two games, with the Swifts having elevated nominated player Grace Whyte to the match-day squad.

It’s understood the issue has nothing to do with Wallace-Joseph’s transgender gaffe earlier this season, which, one source said, had been “put to bed”.

Instead, it’s understood there has been a significant falling out with several teammates, some of whom unfollowed the foundation Swifts Super Netball player on social media recently, that cannot be repaired.

But with the issue now essentially a workplace employment matter, the Swifts, Wallace’s management and most in the game are unwilling to elaborate further.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 19: Sam Wallace-Joseph of the Swifts catches the ball during the round six Super Netball match between NSW Swifts and Giants Netball at Ken Rosewall Arena, on May 19, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Grand finalists last year, the Swifts headed into the competition among the title favourites having won the pre-season Team Girls Cup.

But they have struggled this season, with the cracks apparent in a squad that has a reputation as one of the closest-knit in the competition.

The Swifts lost their third match in succession on Saturday night against the highly-regarded Sunshine Coast Lightning despite fighting back to within two points late in the game.

Speaking after the game, Swifts’ coach Briony Akle said, “There’s been a lot of pressure in the camp, and to come out today and only lose by two to a team such as Lightning who’ve got amazing players, I’m really proud of the team.”

Wallace-Joseph was forced to apologise after a controversial social media post regarding the Transgender Day of Visibility, which this year coincided with Easter Sunday.

The devout Christian reposted US President Joe Biden’s acknowledgment of the day along with the words: “The disrespect is crazy. Don’t play with GOD.”

A Netball Australia investigation determined the 30-year-old would not be charged under the sport’s Code of Conduct but determined she should take part in Proud2Play education with the Swifts ahead of Inclusion Round.

Sam Wallace-Joseph has sat out the past two games for the Swifts. Picture: Getty Images

It has been confirmed Wallace-Joseph completed that training with Proud2Play — an organisation dedicated to promoting LGBTQI+ inclusion in sport and recreation.

Plenty of fan speculation conflates the current issue with the Swifts with the controversy earlier this year but the two are said to be completely different.

Wallace-Joseph, who joined the Swifts for the first season of Super Netball in 2017, lived with teammates, particularly fellow import Helen Housby, for several years, shared significant moments in her life such as the death of family members and her recent marriage, and spoke glowingly in the past about the importance of her Swifts family.

But unlike a football club, where there may be a list of more than 30 players and a split in the ranks is not necessarily destabilising, in a team of just 10 full-time contract holders, where the success of the team relies on every player carrying out their job, it can be a disaster.

In this case, it seems the damage may be irreparable.

Originally published as Sam Wallace-Joseph on way out of NSW Swifts in Super Netball shock | Net Gains