Swifts choose netball co-captains

Perennial trans-Tasman netball contenders, the NSW Swifts, have broken with tradition by choosing co-captains, with Diamonds’ stars Mo’onia Gerrard and Kimberlee Green sharing the leadership.

Another international, shooter Susan Pratley, has been named vice-captain.

The Swifts have traditionally opted for one captain with Liz Ellis and Catherine Cox both holding down the position for several seasons.

Shooter Cox has moved to West Coast Fever where she will be captain under new coach and former Diamonds’ mentor Norma Plummer.

“Green, Gerrard and Pratley stood out within the group with the experiences that they have, not just from a playing point of view but with the way they are respected by their team-mates on and off the court,” new Swifts’ coach Lisa Beehag said.

Defender Gerrard has already experienced a successful co-captaincy situation, having shared responsibilities with Natalie von Bertouch at Adelaide when they won the 2010 title.

“This year will be very exciting. I’m comfortable being one of the leaders,” Gerrard said.

Midcourter Green has captaincy experience at under-21 level and has been part of the Swifts’ leadership group for the past two seasons.

“A lot of other sports are doing that (co-captaincy) – it just helps with the load,” Green said before adding that Beehag and former long serving Swifts’ coach Julie Fitzgerald were very different.

Despite that, NSW will continue to play the Australian style one-on-one defence.

Green’s fellow midcourter, Vanessa Ware, will undergo minor knee surgery next Wednesday after playing in Saturday’s trial against Melbourne Vixens.

She will miss next week’s pre-season tournament in Tauranga, New Zealand and, with a six-week recovery period, might not be back until round two of the trans-Tasman competition.

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!