Sahrah Hancock wins bronze medal at 2025 Australian Swimming Trials

From a podium at the Australian Swimming trials to a fairytale contract extension in the BBL, we take a look at the Territory sports stories you may have missed.

Darwin Buff Sahrah Hancock posing with her bronze medal at the 2025 Australian Swimming Trials. Picture: Darwin Swimming Club Facebook

The NT News sports team continues to highlight the achievements of the Territory’s unsung athletes and sports news you might have missed.

In this new edition of Sports Shorts we have stories from the BBL, swimming and football.

June 17, 2025

DESK-JOCKEY NO MORE

Thomas Andrews has signed a new contract with the Sydney Thunder. Picture: Sydney Thunder Facebook

Thomas Andrews re-signed with the Sydney Thunder for season 2025-26 following his fairytale performance last season.

The Darwin born 30-year-old joined the Thunder having received an SOS call from club GM Trent Copeland.

In 10 matches the all-rounder finished with 11 wickets, 66 runs from four innings for an average of 66 and a monster 206.5 strike rate.

Andrews will fly-up from his Adelaide based finance job to be with the club for the season.

“This year, Copes gave me the call again, and I’m very excited to go again,” he said.

“Hopefully, with a bit more time to prepare, I can continue some good form from last season,” Andrews told Sydney Thunder.

“I’m working and studying – I have a tax law exam next week, which is a bit funny – but I’m looking forward to getting back into playing and being ready for BBL|15.”

NATIONAL PODIUM

Darwin Buffs at the 2025 Australian Swimming Trials (L-R) Sahrah Hancock, Bayleigh Young, Macey Sheridan and James Smith. Picture: Darwin Swimming Club Facebook

Darwin ‘Buffs’ Swimming Club had reason to celebrate at the 2025 Australian Trials in Adelaide last week.

The Buffs boasted a quartet of athletes, Sahrah Hancock (15), Macey Sheridan (15), Bayleigh Young (17) and James Smith (19), who faced the nation’s top swimmers.

Hancock was the biggest winner, placing third in the Women 12 & Over 50m Breaststroke Multi-Class.

Meanwhile, Smith proved his ability with a seventh place finish in Men 14 & Over 1500m Freestyle in a time of 15:35.82.

Against the likes of Kaylee McKeown and Molly O’Callaghan, backstroke phenom and NT Sportsperson of the Year Sheridan put her best foot forward, placing 13th overall in the Women 13 & Over 50m Backstroke (fifth in Final B).

Young finished the meet with his best performance in the Men 14 & Over 200m Butterfly where he placed 35th.

20th DARWIN OCEAN SWIM

Darwin Ocean Swim course map. Picture: DSLSC.

The countdown is on to the 20th edition of the Darwin Ocean Swim with just under a fortnight to go.

A staple of the Top End’s SLS community, the swim, hosted by Darwin SLSC, will see competitors compete in two separate events – a 2.1km Long Course and a 1.2km Short Course.

The event will take place once again on the beautiful Casuarina Beach in the early hours of Sunday June 29.

The races will be separated into two separate categories – Open (competitive) and Fun (fins, snorkels etc. permitted).

Registrations are open until June 27, there will be an enforced cap of 300 swimmers. For more information click here.

CLEAN SWEEP

Port Darwin FC won every senior match at the weekend. Picture: PDFC Facebook

Port Darwin FC had a weekend for the history books winning every senior match it contested.

Port did a number on Mindil Aces winning four from four and secured their biggest win of the round against Palmerston Rovers FC.

To cap off the brilliant round of results, the ‘Wharfies’ MPL side secured the First Responders Cup with their 3-2 win over the reigning MPL champions.

Results: MPL – 3-2, WPLR – 3-1, MPLR – 1-0, Men’s D3 – 2-0, Women’s D3 – 5-1.