NSW Swifts keen to instil fear factor in Super Netball rivals with record start to 2019 season

Swifts captain Maddy Proud says the clubs first goal of the season is to make Sydney the most feared stop on the Super Netball circuit by stringing together a team record four wins.

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Swifts captain Maddy Proud has revealed the clubs first goal of the season is to make Sydney the most feared stop on the Super Netball circuit by stringing together a team record four straight wins starting next Sunday.

Swifts players have been blessed with one of the most ideal draws in the competition with their first four games played within a few kilometres of their homes.

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Maddy Proud: “Our first goal is to protect Sydney soil and start with four wins”.

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While their first game against the Giants is technically an away match they are in Sydney playing at a venue which is also their big game court - Qudos Bank Arena.

They will then host their following three matches against the Adelaide Thunderbird, West Coast Fever and defending Super Netball champions Sunshine Coast Lightning at the Quaycentre, which is also at Sydney Olympic Park.

“It’s a big advantage for us having these first game at home,” said Proud, who has taken the captaincy baton from Abbey McCulloch who is out for the season injured.

“We can’t afford to squander it given how close the season is likely to be.

“Our first goal is to protect Sydney soil and start with four wins.”

Maddy Proud at full stretch against Sunshine Coast Lightning at Qudos Bank Arena last year.

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The new Swifts captain said club pride is a motivating factor heading into season three with players determined to improve on their lowly sixth place in both the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

One of the foundations clubs of Super Netball, the Swifts were a champion club in the days of the trans-Tasman series which predated the current all-Australian team competition.

“We have such a proud history. We are one of the best franchises. We have to live up to that,’’ Proud said.

“The goal for us is to make the top four this year and then from there see if we can go all the way.

“To do that we have to be winning early and showing consistency.’’

Maddy Proud says the Sswifts must protect home turf this season to achieve the goal of cracking the top four for the first time.

While the Swifts have retained the bulk of their players from 2018 the Giants have been revamped following the loss of veterans Susan Pettitt, Bec Bulley and English star Serena Guthrie.

The biggest change is the addition of Australia captain Caitlin Bassett who signed with the Giants in an offsets coup.

SWIFTS EARLY SEASON FIXTURE

APR 28: v GIANTS NETBALL, 1pm, Sydney, Qudos Bank Arena

MAY 5: v ADELAIDE THUNDERBIRDS, 3pm, Sydney, Quaycentre

MAY 12: v WEST COAST FEVER, 1pm, Quaycentre

MAY 18: v SUNSHINE COAST LIGHTNING, 3pm, Sydney, Quaycentre

NSW DERBY ROUND ONE

April 28

Giants v Swifts

1pm Qudos Bank Arena

TV: Channel 9