The Western Swans name was chosen through a nomination and voting process driven by the Netball WA community and the final name was decided by a panel.
The name is an ode to the iconic Black Swan, native to Western Australia, and is designed to give the team a fresh identity to drive standards on and off the court. The team also has a new logo, showing off the shape of the Swan.
The Marie Little Shield is a competition for female players with an intellectual disability and this year it will be held at the Waverley Netball Centre in Melbourne from 15 to 17 September, streamed live and free on Netball Australia TV.
Western Australia finished fourth in the 2022 edition and after a strong group stage a narrow loss to South Australia in the third-place play-off ended their campaign.
This year, the Swans have a team of coaches, with Amy Drudi taking over leading the charge. She has been assisted in the team's preparations by Davinya Ferguson and Bev Gallager.
Drudi said the team had been working hard and were excited for the competition.
“The girls are gelling really well,” she said.
“We’ve jam packed extra training sessions in and we're all looking really good and feeling ready to take on the competition.”
Drudi believes having a new team identity will bring a fresh energy to the team.
“The Black Swan in particular has such strong links to WA history and so many sporting teams that have represented the State,” she said.
“That's obviously a privilege for the team to have, to hold that name and to represent their State in a competition.
“We are also looking at it as the transition from the duckling to the swan and that metaphor of change and development.
“It’s recognising where we've been, what we've come from and where we can go as well.”
After a vote among the playing squad, the Swans’ leadership team will consist of three players. Last year’s co-captain Anne-Marie Rich will return to the role and will be joined by Emma Revell and the 2023 Naomi Perry Spirit Award winner Sarah Ahnstrom.
Drudi said the expanded leadership group is an exciting change from previous years.
“We're really excited to have a leadership team this year rather than just a captain,” she said.
“All the girls showed great leadership across the court but the three that we have picked have exceptional experience in terms of having travelled before, but also experience in the netball community.”
The Swans will also feature two new members among a squad of familiar faces. Kellee Thomas and Kristy Carter, who is making the switch from the basketball court, will travel with the team for the first time.
For Drudi, the Marie Little Shield is an example of how far the No Limits Program had come and the opportunity to experience the team spirit was like nothing else.
“It's incredible to see the growth and spread of No Limits Competitions across WA,” she said.
“We know there are people out there who want to participate, it's just about getting them, engaging them and having those competitions.
“The friendships and the bonds that are created in the team are incredible and we can see that it translates to more than just on the netball court.
“They play together for one time, and then they're friends for life.”
Catch the Western Swans Marie Little Shield campaign live and free on Netball Australia TV.
Marie Little Shield Team:
Sarah Ahnstrom
Nicole Brien
Kristy Carter
Jade Franz
Tamikia Galgey
Imogen Peterson
Grace Pirie
Jone Potgieter
Emma Revell
Anne-Marie Rich
Kellee Thomas
Georgia Walter
Training Partners
Nosisa Mhlope
Rose Birsa
Fixtures (All times AWST):
Round 1: v ACT, 8:00am Friday 15 September
Round 2: v NSW, 11:15am Friday 15 September
Round 3: v VIC, 12:30pm Friday 15 September
Round 4: v SA, 11:00am Saturday 16 September
Round 5: v QLD, 12:15pm Saturday 16 September
Round 6: Bye
Round 7: v NT, 7:00am Sunday 17 September
