Sydney Swifts were an Australian netball team based in Sydney. Between 1997 and 2007 they represented Netball New South Wales in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy league. Together with Sydney Sandpipers and Hunter Jaegers they were one of three teams to represent NNSW in the competition. After Melbourne Phoenix, Swifts were the league's second most successful team, winning four premierships and three minor premierships. In 2008, when the Commonwealth Bank Trophy was replaced by the ANZ Championship, Swifts and Jaegers merged to form New South Wales Swifts.
History Mobil Superleague Sydney Swifts evolved from a state league team that represented the Ku-ring-gai area. Between 1994 and 1996, Sydney Ku-ring-gai represented Netball New South Wales in the Mobil Superleague. They were also known as Sydney Cenovis because they were sponsored by Cenovis. The team featured a young Liz Ellis and Catherine Cox and were coached by Julie Fitzgerald. In 1994 and 1996 they were Mobil Superleague semi-finalists.
Commonwealth Bank Trophy Between 1997 and 2007, Sydney Swifts played in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy league. Together with Adelaide Ravens, Adelaide Thunderbirds, Melbourne Kestrels, Melbourne Phoenix, Perth Orioles, Queensland Firebirds and Sydney Sandpipers, Swifts were one of the founding members of the league. Together with Sydney Sandpipers and Hunter Jaegers, they were one of three teams to represent Netball New South Wales in the competition. After Melbourne Phoenix, Swifts were the league's second most successful team, winning four premierships in 2001, 2004, 2006 and 2007. Between 2004 and 2006, they also won three successive minor premierships. Swifts head coach throughout the Commonwealth Bank Trophy era was Julie Fitzgerald. Their leading players included Liz Ellis, Alison Broadbent, Catherine Cox, Megan Anderson and Selina Gilsenan. In 2008, when the Commonwealth Bank Trophy was replaced by the ANZ Championship, Swifts and Jaegers merged to form New South Wales Swifts.
Regular season statistics Season Position Won Lost Drawn19973rd7523rd1130 19992nd1130 20004th950 20012nd113020023rd1130 2nd10401st12201st12201st140020072nd1130
Grand finals Season Winners Score Runners-up Venue 1998Adelaide Thunderbirds48–42Sydney SwiftsETSA Park 2001Sydney Swifts57–32Adelaide ThunderbirdsState Sports Centre 2003Melbourne Phoenix47–44Sydney SwiftsSydney Super Dome 2004Sydney Swifts52–51Melbourne PhoenixSydney Super Dome 2005Melbourne Phoenix61–44Sydney SwiftsVodafone Arena 2006Sydney Swifts65–36Adelaide ThunderbirdsSydney Olympic Park Sports Centre 2007Sydney Swifts45–37Melbourne PhoenixAcer Arena
Home venues YearsAnne Clark Netball Centre1997State Sports Centre1998Sydney Super DomeSydney Olympic Park Sports CentreWollongong Entertainment Centre2005
Notable former players Internationals
Jane Altschwager Megan Anderson Erin Bell Alison Broadbent Catherine Cox Liz Ellis Mo'onia Gerrard Selina Gilsenan Kimberlee Green Susan Pettitt Chelsea Pitman Joanne Morgan
Vanessa Ware Amorette Wild
Chelsea Pitman
Award winners Most Valuable Player Season Player 1998Liz Ellis2002Liz Ellis2006Liz Ellis
Grand final MVP Season Player2001Liz Ellis2004Catherine Cox2006Liz Ellis2007Selina Gilsenan
Best New Talent Season Player 2001Jane Altschwager
Captains Captains Years Catriona Wagg1997–1999 Liz Ellis2000–2007
Most Appearances Players Matches QuartersLiz Ellis173680Alison Broadbent152562Catherine Cox135Megan Anderson111Selina Gilsenan121461Raegan Jackson92Susan Pettitt68Briony Akle53Jane Altschwager50 Catriona Wagg49
Head coaches Coach YearsJulie Fitzgerald1997–2007 Support Staff
Team Manager Jan Troy (1998–2006)
Team Physiotherapist Sean Mungovan (1999–2007)
Sponsorship Sponsors Seasons TAB1997–2007
Premierships Commonwealth Bank Trophy Winners: 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007: 4 Runners up: 1998, 2003, 2005: 3 Minor premierships: 2004, 2005, 2006: 3
References