QBE Swifts Academy have been crowned champions of this year’s Super Netball Reserves competition, defeating Sunshine Coast Lightning Bolts by a resounding 14 goals in the Grand Final on Sunday.
The Bolts earned their place in the decider the hard way, coming back from an 11-goal deficit in Friday’s semi final to defeat Melbourne Mavericks Reserves by two (68–70) in extra time, but couldn’t repeat their heroics in Sunday’s final. The Swifts set the tone with a 20–9 second quarter and held on to take the title in front of a home crowd.
Running alongside the SSN season, SN Reserves provides emerging talent with invaluable match play opportunities as a bridge between state-level competition and the world’s best netball league.
The competition culminated in a finals weekend hosted at Sydney’s Netball Central in partnership with Destination NSW, where a standout performance from Swifts midcourter Eliza Burton saw her receive Grand Final MVP honours.
SN Reserves squads feature a strong blend of developing athletes, Super Netball training partners and emerging state league standouts. The competition also provides valuable opportunities for coaches, umpires and support staff within a national framework.
Full Finals Weekend results
Grand Final: Sunshine Coast Lightning Bolts [55] defeated by [69] QBE Swifts Academy
3rd place playoff: Melbourne Mavericks Reserves [54] defeated by [59] West Coast Fever Reserves
Grand Final MVP: Eliza Burton (QBE Swifts Academy)
Grand Final umpires: Claire Kleinschmidt, Sarah McNamara, Alexandra Brown (reserve)
The SN Reserves Finals Weekend is proudly supported by the NSW Government via its Tourism and Major Events agency, Destination NSW.
