Head Coach Briony Akle Previews Team Girls Cup

As the 2025 Suncorp Team Girls Cup approaches, NSW Swifts Head Coach Briony Akle is looking forward to testing her team in a competitive setting ahead of the new season.

The tournament, taking place this weekend at Netball SA Stadium in Adelaide, will provide the first opportunity of the year to see all eight Suncorp Super Netball teams in action as they compete in a round-robin format.

For the Swifts, it’s a chance to set the tone for the months ahead.

Akle explains that while winning the tournament is important, the real goal is to use the event as a valuable opportunity to build confidence, experiment with different combinations, and fine-tune team dynamics.

“For us, it’s really about getting different combinations out on court and gaining confidence in our structures and set plays,” Akle said. “It’s an opportunity to work together on court, not just during training sessions, which is so valuable heading into the season.”

The Swifts are travelling to TGC with 13 players and Akle is focused on trialing a variety of player combinations throughout the tournament. This includes providing opportunities for training partners to experience court time with different lineups and rotations.

“We’ll be trialing different combinations over the three days. It’s really important that our TPs, like Grace Whyte, also get time on court and experience working with our starting players. Whyte will be paired with GG (Grace Nweke) in some combinations, so we can see how that works in practice. The goal is to test as many rotations as possible,” Akle explained.

One of Akle’s main objectives heading into the Team Girls Cup is ensuring the team settles into attack and is able to integrate new players like Nweke and Verity Simmons. Patience with the ball and understanding each other’s playing style will be critical as the team builds its chemistry.

“We really want to be settled in attack, especially with the new players like Vez and Grace out there,” Akle said. “We need to be patient with the ball, knowing we have strong attacking options—whether it’s a big target in Grace Nweke or a moving circle with Helen (Housby) and Sophie (Fawns). It’s all about nailing our set plays and making sure the new players get comfortable working with the team before Round 1.”

Another new player is Sharni Lambden who has impressed with her strength, conditioning, and fitness in the pre-season. Akle is eager to see how Lambden can translate that hard work into performance on the court.

“Sharni’s been around for a long time without having a contract, and now she’s ready to show what she can do. We want her to be confident in the wing defence position and really disrupt the opposition. It’s about her growing with each game and fitting into our defensive unit alongside Sarah Klau, Maddy Turner, and Tegan O’Shannassy.”

While the Team Girls Cup will provide a chance to observe other teams and players, Akle emphasises that the Swifts’ primary focus will be on their own performance and progression.

“I think the teams that have made changes in the off-season are the ones to watch,” Akle acknowledged. “But in SSN now, any team can win with the right combination. We’ll be keeping an eye on how other teams are progressing, but our main focus is on ourselves. It’s all about improving our game and getting ready for Round 1.”

NSW Swifts TGC squad is: Sophie Fawns, Jess Conlan, Paige Hadley, Sarah Klau, Helen Housby, Sharni Lambden, Grace Nweke, Teigan O’Shannassy, Verity Simmons, Allie Smith, Maddy Turner, Grace Whyte, Courtney Castle.