NSW Swifts would like to congratulate Club Co-Captain Paige Hadley who has announced she is expecting her first child in 2026.

The double Swifts Premiership Champion and Club Centurion, who is also Vice-Captain of the Australian Diamonds, announced the news today.

Hadley has played five Grand Finals for the Swifts – winning titles in 2019 and 2021 – and has also won two World Cups and a Commonwealth Gold Medal with the Diamonds.

The 32-year-old said she was excited for this new chapter alongside her partner Jordan.

“Life is all about timing, and this is a really special moment for Jordan and I and we are very grateful for the love and kindness we’ve received since finding out.”

“It has been a crazy couple of months but we are feeling extremely blessed and can’t wait to grow our little family. I feel very fortunate to everyone, especially those within netball community who have been so supportive ahead of what’s a really important and special time for my family and I.”

“While it is definitely my aim to return to the court for both Swifts and the Diamonds, I am looking forward to some time away as Jordan and I begin our new journey together as parents.”

“I still have some big goals I’d love to achieve at the Swifts and at international level, and will look to make these a reality when the time is right. But for now, it’s time to focus on my family. I am so excited for the next chapter that lays ahead of me.”

Swifts Head Coach Briony Akle said everyone at the Club was delighted for Hadley.

“First and foremost, this is joyous news for Paigey and Jordan. All of our playing group, coaching staff and wider Club staff could not be happier for them.”

“We will absolutely miss Paigey on the court but that feeling is quickly cancelled out by the joy we feel for her. This is a huge life milestone for Paige and I know she’ll be wonderful at it. She is one of the greatest leaders in Australian sport and I know she’ll bring that same energy as a mum.”

“While Paige will have some very important time away to begin this new chapter, I know that down the line she still has big dreams she wants to fulfil in the Red Dress.”

“She is arguably the greatest Swift of the modern era and, when the time is right, we’ll do everything we can to help make them a reality.”

The Swifts will name a replacement for Hadley in due course.

Origin Australian Diamonds head coach Stacey Marinkovich congratulated Paige and Jordan.

“We are absolutely thrilled for Paige and Jordan for this joyful time and look forward to seeing them both thrive in this next phase of life,” Marinkovich said.

“Paige is not only an outstanding athlete and leader, but also someone who has given so much to the Diamonds program for over a decade.

“Navigating professional sport and parenthood comes with unique challenges, and our number one priority is to provide a supportive environment for all our athletes.

“We will continue to support Paige throughout her pregnancy and be ready to welcome her back when the time is right for her and her family.”

In Hadley’s absence, defender Rudi Ellis has been added to the Origin Australian Diamonds squad as a temporary replacement player.