By Elizabeth Winter
For 20-year-old goal shooter Nicola Barge, the key to making progress is simple: stay in the moment, make the most of the opportunity in front of you, and always back yourself.
Just 12 months ago, Barge was beginning to establish herself in the Swifts environment.
Originally selected as a training partner for 2026, she was elevated to the club's 11th player at the end of pre-season before injuries opened the door to her first Super Netball opportunity.
While her elevation came under difficult circumstances, Barge’s teammates supported her in embracing the opportunity.
“I remember Helen (Housby) and Maddy (Proud) sat me down and told me watching us younger ones coming through the ranks and getting our playing opportunity was one of the highlights of their careers, which made me feel a lot better about the position I was in,” Barge said.
Barge made her debut with the NSW Swifts during the 2026 season.
After her debut came further opportunities throughout the season, including being in the starting seven of the Swifts' final two games.
“To start the last two games of the season was obviously my dream come true,” she shared.
For Barge, the experience was the culmination of perseverance and self-belief, as well as developing some key philosophies to continue progressing.
“One of my biggest learnings from last season is to not look too far ahead,” she said.
“I just try to go out there, trusting in myself and remembering I've got nothing to lose and everything to gain.”
With experienced teammates by her side at the Swifts, Barge has taken inspiration from those around her while learning to trust her own strengths.
“I look at all these amazing players, and I think to myself ‘I want to play like her, or be like her’, but sometimes just doing you is the best thing you can do,” she said.
“I feel like I play differently to a lot of players and that’s what I can bring to the court to assist the team, especially when I'm in goal attack.”
As well as playing in the Super Netball environment, Barge has represented the Australian Pathway through international tours, experiences she describes as some of the highlights of her career so far.
Barge has represented the Australian Pathway team on three international tours.
Through the PacificAus Sports program, Barge has taken part in the Rising Stars: 21U Tour in Fiji, Tala-Tutone Tour in Tonga, and Ocean of Power Tour in Samoa.
“The international tours I've done are invaluable for me, both on and off the court,” she said.
“We’re able to immerse ourselves in different countries’ cultures and connect as a team with players we usually don’t see too often, and on court I’ve learnt to have resilience, and be adaptable to anything.”
The tours have also given Barge an understanding of how to adjust her game from domestic to international.
“When playing at an international level, it's trying to find the balance of what can I bring to this team that I've learned from my environment at Swifts, while also sticking to the Australian values of how we play,” she said.
During these tours, teams have also worked with local schools and clubs by delivering netball clinics which aim to inspire more young people across the Pacific to get involved in the sport.
Currently studying primary and special education alongside her netball career, Barge has a particular appreciation for the impact of these interactions.
“That's my other passion away from sport,” she said.
“When we get to travel and visit schools, inspiring the next generation of athletes is what we want to do.
“It's made me realise just how important any person can be in a child's life.”
As she continues her netball journey, Barge hopes to inspire the next generation.
For Barge, netball has given her so much more than opportunities on the court.
“Netball to me more than just a sport. It's given me lifelong friendships, opportunities to travel and represent Australia. It’s helped me overcome challenges, believe in myself, and has shaped my character as I've grown up,” she said.
“My journey can seem like I've been blessed and made a lot of teams, but there have been times where I've been injured, not selected, or dropped from a team.
“I’ve learnt to be resilient and push through challenges, which I'm forever grateful for.”
With another opportunity at the Swifts for next year, Barge is focused on continuing to enjoy the game and seeing where it can take her.
“I've already done things that I've dreamed of since I was a little kid,” she said.
“So for now, I’m continuing to learn and push myself while having fun and continuing to play.
“I'm hoping I can be one of the players that helps drive other people to want to play, and someone little girls can look up to and want to play netball or any sport because they feel empowered and know dreams are achievable.”
For Barge, the next chapter is another opportunity to keep doing what she loves, while inspiring the next generation along the way.
