Super Netball 2017: Swifts team, players, draw, news and views
PLAYER profiles, team guide, latest news. What you need to know about the Swifts in the 2017 Super Netball competition.
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THEY are one of five established clubs in the competition and boast a history of success but the Swifts are taking a different approach to the inaugural Super Netball league in 2017 than other teams.
Lead by Abbey McCulloch and coached by Rob Wright, the Swifts have opted to play a long game with a team brimming with up-and-comers.
How successful this policy is the first year is anyones guess but Wright is backing the Swifts to be making a big impression in future years off the back of this season.
We take a look at the team, its chances, the stars and the players expected to make an impact in 2017.
HOW THE SEASON PLAYS OUT
The Swifts will be “away” for their round one match against the Giants with their first official home game against the Adelaide Thunderbirds in round two on April 15 in the first double header at Qudos Bank Arena.
The Swifts will compete in seven prime-time Saturday evening matches, plus three games each on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons in the inaugural season.
There will be seven home games — four games at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre (SOPSC), as well as three double header events at Qudos Bank Arena alongside cross-town rivals the Giants.
ARE MAGPIES TOO 'SUPER' FOR SUPER NETBALL?
HOW WE RATE THEM
We are tipping the Swifts to be a middle-of-the-road team this season. While we think the top four may be a little beyond the reach of this team in the first year of the competition, there could be potential for a result as high as a top five finish.
This is a team of enormous promise. How soon we see the potential of Rob Wright’s young guns is anyones guess. But teams should be on alert for the Swifts ability to upset this season. And if you are a loyal fan, the future certainly looks bright for this once champion club.
SWIFTS REVEL IN UNDERDOG STATUS
THE IMPORTS
The Swifts have opted for two imports this season in Trinidad & Tobago shooter Sam Wallace, who did not play in last year’s trans-Tasman league, and English goaler Helen Housby, who will also make her Down under debut in the series.
CAPTAIN COURAGEOUS
Abbey McCulloch has been handed the captains reigns for the first season and says she is looking forward to the challenge.
At 27 she is a senior member of the Swifts and one of four players remaining from the team which last year finished second to the Queensland Firebirds in the old Trans Tasman netball league.
An on-court marshall, McCulloch’s primary position is wing defence.
SUPER NETBALL: SUPER SEASON AHEAD
HOW THE COMPETITION WORKS
There are 14 rounds of competition in the regular season followed by the finals.
Eight teams will contest the new competition.
All clubs are Australian. However, unlimited imports are allowed.
HOW THE TEAMS WORK
Each club has 10 contracted athletes and a number of training partners who may be used as a temporary replacement player or a permanent replacement player.
MATCH DAY
A netball match involves four 15 minutes quarters.
The break between the first and second quarter and the third and fourth quarter is four minutes.
The halftime break is 12 minutes.
MEET THE PLAYERS
PAIGE HADLEY
Born: 26/08/92, NSW
Height: 173cm
Positions: C, WA, WD
Test Caps: 15 (AUS)
Previous team: NSW Swifts
Occupation/area of study: Bachelor of Business and Commerce
HELEN HOUSBY
Born: 19/01/95, England
Height: 183cm
Positions: GA, GS
Test Caps: 27 (ENG)
Previous team: Manchester Thunder (England)
Occupation/area of study: Bachelor of Science (Zoology)
ABBEY McCULLOCH
Born: 12/02/90, NSW
Height: 178cm
Positions: WD, C
Previous team: NSW Swifts
Occupation/area of study: Secondary Education
SARAH KLAU
Born: 30/09/94, Adelaide
Height: 190cm
Positions: GK, GD
Previous team: Adelaide Thunderbirds
Occupation/area of study: Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy)
CLAIRE O’BRIEN
Born: 11/03/97 Sydney
Height: 172cm
Positions: WA, C
Previous team: NSW Swifts as a replacement player
Occupation/area of study: Student
MADDY PROUD
Born: 4/12/93, Adelaide
Height: 174cm
Positions: C, WA
Previous team: Adelaide Thunderbirds
Occupation/area of study: Bachelor of Business (Marketing)
AMY SOMMERVILLE
Born: 21/03/93, Sydney
Height: 180cm
Positions: GS, GA
Previous team: NSW Swifts
Occupation/area of study: Bachelor of Business (Public Relations)
EMMA TICKNER
Born: 26/06/91, Victoria
Height: 180cm Positions: GD, GK
Previous team: QLD Fury (ANL)
Occupation/area of study: Secondary Education
MADDY TURNER
Born: 17/12/95, Adelaide
Height: 183cm Positions: GD, WD
Previous club: NSW Swifts
Occupation/area of study: Speech Pathology
SAM WALLACE
Birth: 16/01/94, Trinidad
Height: 193cm
Positions: GS, GA
Test Caps: 32 (Trinidad & Tobago)
Previous team: Hertfordshire Mavericks (England)
Occupation/area of study: Athlete
MEET THE COACH
Rob Wright learned his trade under Julie Fitzgerald at the Swifts before she was replaced with former player Lisa Behag. Wright ended up moving into the coaching role next and has been with the side since.
Last year he lead the Swifts in the trans-Tasman netball league but has recruited young, developing players for the first year of Super Netball.
SWIFTS DRAW 2017
Feb 18: 5pm Giants Netball v NSW Swifts, SOPSC, NSW
Feb 25: 5pm NSW Swifts v Adelaide Thunderbirds, Qudos Bank Arena, NSW Double Header
Mar 4: 8:45pm Melb Vixens v NSW Swifts, Hisense Arena, VIC Double Header
Mar 10: 8:30pm, QLD Firebirds v NSW Swifts, Bris Convention & Exhibition Centre, QLD
Mar 17: 9:30pm, West Coast Fever v NSW Swifts, HBF Stadium, WA
Mar 26: 1pm, NSW Swifts v Magpies Netball, SOPSC, NSW
Apr 1: 7pm NSW Swifts v Giants Netball, SOPSC, NSW
Apr 9: 1pm, NSW Swifts v Sunshine Coast Lightning SOPSC, NSW.
EASTER BYE WEEKEND
Apr 23: 3pm NSW Swifts v Melb Vixens, Qudos Bank Arena, NSW Double Header
Apr 29: 8:45pm Adel Thunderbirds v NSW Swifts, Titanium Arena, SA
May 5: 7:30pm NSW Swifts v West Coast Fever, SOPSC, NSW
May 13: 7pm Magpies Netball v NSW Swifts, Hisense Arena
FULL 2017 DRAW
ROUND ONE
SAT 18 FEB 5.00PM
GIANTS V SWIFTS
Sydney Olympic Park Sports
Centre, Sydney
SAT 18 FEB 7.00PM
VIXENS V MAGPIES
Hisense Arena, Melbourne
SAT 18 FEB 7.45PM
FIREBIRDS V LIGHTNING
Brisbane Entertainment Centre,
Brisbane
SUN 19 FEB 12.30PM
THUNDERBIRDS V FEVER
Priceline Stadium, Adelaide
ROUND TWO
SAT 25 FEB 5.00PM
SWIFTS V THUNDERBIRDS
Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
SAT 25 FEB 7.00PM
GIANTS V FEVER
Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
SAT 25 FEB 7.45PM
FIREBIRDS V MAGPIES
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition
Centre, Brisbane
SUN 26 FEB 12.00PM
LIGHTNING V VIXENS
University of the Sunshine Coast,
Sunshine Coast
ROUND THREE
FRI 3 MAR 6.30PM
FEVER V FIREBIRDS
Perth Arena, Perth
SAT 4 MAR 7.00PM
MAGPIES V GIANTS
Hisense Arena, Melbourne
SAT 4 MAR 8.45PM
VIXENS V SWIFTS
Hisense Arena, Melbourne
SUN 5 MAR 12.30PM
THUNDERBIRDS V
LIGHTNING
Titanium Arena, Adelaide
ROUND FOUR
FRI 10 MAR 7.30PM
FIREBIRDS V SWIFTS
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition
Centre, Brisbane
SAT 11 MAR 7.00PM
VIXENS V FEVER
Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne
SAT 11 MAR 7.45PM
LIGHTNING V GIANTS
University of the Sunshine Coast,
Sunshine Coast
SUN 12 MAR 3.00PM
MAGPIES V THUNDERBIRDS
Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne
ROUND FIVE
FRI 17 MAR 6.30PM
FEVER V SWIFTS
HBF Stadium, Perth
SAT 18 MAR 6.00PM
FIREBIRDS V VIXENS
Brisbane Entertainment Centre,
Brisbane
SAT 18 MAR 7.45PM
LIGHTNING V MAGPIES
Brisbane Entertainment Centre,
Brisbane
SUN 19 MAR 1.00PM
GIANTS V THUNDERBIRDS
AIS Arena, Canberra
ROUND SIX
FRI 24 MAR 6.30PM
FEVER V LIGHTNING
HBF Stadium, Perth
SAT 25 MAR 7.00PM
VIXENS V GIANTS
Hisense Arena, Melbourne
SAT 25 MAR 8.15PM
THUNDERBIRDS V FIREBIRDS
Titanium Arena, Adelaide
SUN 26 MAR 1.00PM
SWIFTS V MAGPIES
Sydney Olympic Park Sports
Centre, Sydney
ROUND SEVEN
SAT 1 APR 7.00PM
SWIFTS V GIANTS
Sydney Olympic Park Sports
Centre, Sydney
SAT 1 APR 5.45PM
FEVER V THUNDERBIRDS
Perth Arena, Perth
SUN 2 APR 1.00PM
LIGHTNING V FIREBIRDS
University of the Sunshine Coast,
Sunshine Coast
SUN 2 APR 3.00PM
MAGPIES V VIXENS
Hisense Arena, Melbourne
ROUND EIGHT
FRI 7 APR 7.30PM
MAGPIES V FEVER
Hisense Arena, Melbourne
SAT 8 APR 7.00PM
FIREBIRDS V GIANTS
Gold Coast Convention &
Exhibition Centre, Gold Coast
SAT 8 APR 8.15PM
THUNDERBIRDS V VIXENS
Priceline Stadium, Adelaide
SUN 9 APR 1.00PM
SWIFTS V LIGHTNING
Sydney Olympic Park Sports
Centre, Sydney
ROUND NINE
SAT 22 APR 7.00PM
LIGHTNING V
THUNDERBIRDS
Brisbane Entertainment Centre,
Brisbane
SAT 22 APR 8.45PM
FIREBIRDS V FEVER
Brisbane Entertainment Centre,
Brisbane
SUN 23 APR 1.00PM
GIANTS V MAGPIES
Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
SUN 23 APR 3.00PM
SWIFTS V VIXENS
Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
ROUND 10
SAT 29 APR 7.00PM
VIXENS V LIGHTNING
Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne
SAT 29 APR 8.15PM
THUNDERBIRDS V SWIFTS
Titanium Arena, Adelaide
SUN 30 APR 12.00PM
FEVER V GIANTS
HBF Stadium, Perth
SUN 30 APR 12.00PM
MAGPIES V FIREBIRDS
Silverdome, Tasmania
ROUND 11
FRI 5 MAY 7.30PM
SWIFTS V FEVER
Sydney Olympic Park Sports
Centre, Sydney
SAT 6 MAY 7.00PM
VIXENS V FIREBIRDS
Hisense Arena, Melbourne
SAT 6 MAY 8.45PM
MAGPIES V LIGHTNING
Hisense Arena, Melbourne
SUN 7 MAY 12.30PM
THUNDERBIRDS V GIANTS
Priceline Stadium, Adelaide
ROUND 12
FRI 12 MAY 7.30PM
LIGHTNING V FEVER
University of the Sunshine Coast,
Sunshine Coast
SAT 13 MAY 7.00PM
MAGPIES V SWIFTS
Hisense Arena, Melbourne
SAT 13 MAY 8.45PM
FIREBIRDS V THUNDERBIRDS
Brisbane Entertainment Centre,
Brisbane
SUN 14 MAY 1.00PM
GIANTS V VIXENS
AIS Arena, Canberra
ROUND 13
FRI 19 MAY 7.30PM
GIANTS V FIREBIRDS
Sydney Olympic Park Sports
Centre, Sydney
SAT 20 MAY 7.00PM
LIGHTNING V SWIFTS
University of the Sunshine Coast,
Sunshine Coast
SAT 20 MAY 6.45PM
FEVER V MAGPIES
Perth Arena, Perth
SUN 21 MAY 3.00PM
VIXENS V THUNDERBIRDS
Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne
ROUND 14
SAT 27 MAY 5.00PM
SWIFTS V FIREBIRDS
Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
SAT 27 MAY 7.00PM
GIANTS V LIGHTNING
Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
SAT 27 MAY 6.45PM
FEVER V VIXENS
Perth Arena, Perth
SUN 28 MAY 12.30PM
THUNDERBIRDS V MAGPIES
Titanium Arena, Adelaide
All times are shown in local time.
Draw subject to change.
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