How Verity Simmons was dragged out of Super Netball retirement by the NSW Swifts

Verity Simmons walked out on netball two years ago and thought she’d never return. Until a mystery phone call swiftly ended her AFLW career – and reignited her Super Netball one.

Not once since walking out the West Coast Fever change room did Verity Simmons ever consider returning to Super Netball – until a wild 48 hours was triggered by a phone call out of the blue.

Simmons made the tough decision to leave Super Netball in November 2023 – during pre-season.

“That last season was really tough, without realising it I was in a bit of a slump,” Simmons said.

“Once pre-season rolled around, and with the pay dispute going on as well, I realised I really wasn’t excited about this at all. I’m usually chomping at the bit, eager to get into pre-season, get moving, get fit but I could hardly pull myself off the couch.

“I didn’t want to be in the team environment, which I’ve never felt before.”

Verity Simmons made the switch to the AFLW, where she played with the West Coast Eagles. Picture: Getty

With just 80 Super Netball contracts up for grabs Simmons said she didn’t feel right taking one she didn’t really want so made the decision to retire.

She didn’t give up elite sport altogether – instead signing as a rookie with West Coast Eagles AFLW team.

It was like starting from scratch – learning to kick, sprint and kick, tackle, the strategies, rules – but Simmons said she had no regrets.

Despite being a rookie Simmons had every intention of doing another season in the AFLW. Her manager was working to secure her a contract with a club back on the east coast.

If you had asked Simmons six months ago if she ever saw herself playing netball again the answer would have been a hard no.

Midcourter Verity Simmons is back for the 2025 Super Netball season, after signing with NSW Swifts. Photo: Netball Australia

Then she had a call from a “random person” asking if Simmons planned to play for the Swifts this season.

“I hadn’t even thought about it, netball just didn’t even cross my mind, I thought I was done,” Simmons said.

“I shot (Akle) a message and she called me straight away.”

Two days later Simmons was sitting in a dressing room putting sneakers on ready to trial for the Swifts.

“It was weird not putting footy boots on, I was like, I’ve got some support in my shoes again,” Simmons said.

“I was excited to get back on the floorboards and be back with the girls and just hoped I could still catch and throw.

“Everyone said to me it will come straight back to you.”

Briony Akle, head coach of the Swifts, was instrumental in getting Simmons back on the court. Picture: Getty

Simmons said she can still remember the moment the ball came to her hand for the first time.

“It felt so good to get to know the sport and be playing at that level again,” she said.

“The ball was pinging around at training and I was having fun again. I think that is something I take with me now is that you have to love what you’re doing no matter what it is, if you’re not enjoying it then you shouldn’t be there because you are never going to get that 100 per cent effort out.”

Making the switch from AFLW back to netball hasn’t been easy for Simmons. The 33-year-old has had to spend her shortened pre-season rebuilding the muscle she lost due to the huge amount of kilometres she would run every week.

“The physicality is a little bit different coming from footy, like I’ve found myself getting a few hits (on the netball court) and not really worrying about it,” Simmons said.

“I’ve also caught myself marking the ball and putting my knee up, I think my netball is really going to notice the difference.”

Simmons has slotted straight back into the sport. Picture: Getty

From the few pre-season games and Team Girls Cup Simmons said she had already noticed a huge shift in the game from when she last played.

“It’s gotten quicker again, I was wondering if I’d slowed down, but I think the umpires are letting a lot go. I noticed we are bumping each other around, which I like. It’s a bit more rough and everyone’s just taking it.”

Simmons Super Netball resurgence will begin at the weekend when Swifts take on her former club West Coast Fever.

The midcourter can’t wait, especially as her family and friends will be in the stands watching.

“I love Fever and I always will, they’ve got a piece of my heart,” Simmons said.

“Playing at that stadium with the Green Army going off is the most incredible feeling, I’ve never felt it from the opposite team, so that will be interesting, hope I don’t get too many boos.

“It’s all love there, it’s just excitement to just play the game again.”

Originally published as How Verity Simmons was dragged out of Super Netball retirement by the NSW Swifts