Where Nweke comes alive

By Stephanie Smarrelli
 

You wouldn’t be alone in thinking the place where Grace Nweke feels most at home is in the goal circle. 

And while that might be the case, there’s somewhere else where the NSW Swifts’ newest recruit really comes alive. 

“I feel my most alive and happy in a mosh pit, surrounded by friends and enjoying live music,” Nweke said. 

“I love curating playlists, finding new artists, going to live shows and getting out amongst it.  

"Whether it’s house, alternative, rap, hip-hop, R’n’B, the list goes on. I love exploring various genres and trying new stuff.” 

At just 23, Nweke has already cemented herself as one of the world’s best netballers and is preparing to make her long-awaited Suncorp Super Netball debut in April. 

The goaler recently moved to Sydney, joining the Swifts for season 2025. 

And she’s wasted no time in getting amongst the Sydney music scene, her Instagram proof of her ventures, having recently attended Laneway Festival. 

“Laneway always falls on my birthday weekend, so I've always gone in Auckland with all of my mates,” she said. 

Experiencing the festival in Sydney for the first time, Nweke had a couple of highlights. 

"I really loved Olivia Dean and Clairo. They were two artists I’d been holding out to see perform live – they did not disappoint,” she said. 

“I also really enjoyed Barry Can’t Swim because that kind of colourful, jazzy, relaxed house vibe, is very me. And obviously Charli XCX was a huge pull, and she had an insane performance.” 

The goaler’s affinity for music probably comes as no surprise to fans of Nweke, who famously wears her headphones while warming up for matches. 

But the music blaring through those headphones has changed over time. 

"I used to be intently listening to hip hop and rap music, super jarring Atlanta rappers or UK drill,” she said.  

“Which I still really enjoy, it would get me super hyped, which was a good gee up before games. 

“But I’ve transitioned to more of a mellow vibe for clarity. 

“I like listening to relaxed house artists like Chaos in the CBD and Berlioz because they’ve got this jazzy kind of melodic influence that’s really calming. I play this kind of music when I do shooting practice, so it’s a bit of classical conditioning in terms of preparing to be accurate in game.” 

The biggest reason for the switch up? 

Dancing. 

“When I pick songs with too high a tempo, I end up dancing while I’m shooting,” she said. 

“It becomes a bit counterproductive when I’m enjoying my pregame playlist so much that it becomes a distraction.” 

Music aside, Nweke oozes style. And while the goaler won’t admit to being fashionable, she thinks about fashion a lot. 

“I enjoy following a few of the big international fashion houses and seeing what's coming down their runways every season. I’ve been into that kind of stuff since I was a kid, so my appreciation of clothing and style has naturally bled into my adulthood,” she said. 

"I’d say I'm somewhere in the streetwear realm. I have a solid sneaker collection growing and draw a lot of inspiration from elements of Japanese workwear, bloke-core and gorp-core.  

“I also love handbags and have a humble collection I continue to add to and intently pair with certain outfits.” 

The shooter’s style changing depending on what vibe she’s feeling but she’s not one to conform to expectations. 

“I definitely lean a bit on the laddie side, I like wearing baggy jeans and hats and what not but then adding in more feminine touches where I can,” she said. 

“I’d like to think it's kind of like if Adam Sandler, Eve Kelly and Matilda Djerf had a kid but I'm kind of all over the place really – I live for an ugly dad shoe, to all my friends’ disgust.” 

While the superstar loves her fashion, she confessed it can be a challenge at times, leading her to pick up a new hobby. 

“I have a sewing machine back in New Zealand, I’m going to bring it here with me,” she said.  

“It’s a struggle when you’re 6ft 4 and you want pants to touch the ground, they never do, so I’ve had to be a bit more resourceful.   

“I really hate fast fashion and want to be intentional about what I wear, and how I purchase and consume. That’s why I love op-shopping and sourcing vintage. It’s a lot more sustainable. 

“I’m always on the hunt for pieces with some potential, with a mind to upcycle or rework them.” 

 In her downtime Nweke finds other ways to get her creative juices flowing, whether it be walks in nature, journaling or photography. 

“I saw someone online say: ‘If you have a camera, you are a photographer’. I’m sure it was a joke, but it really resonated,” she said. 

“Taking pictures is something I enjoy doing but I would by no means list photography as a talent of mine. 

“I also enjoy shooting on film and seeing how the images come out, the process of capturing the visual with your own eyes and then through the lens; and then the excitement and fear about what comes out the other end is why I love it so much.” 

Creativity, aside there’s another important aspect of Nweke’s life away from the court, her best friends who she’s known since high school.  

"My two best friends are like my ride or dies,” she said. 

“We’ve started ‘Waffle Wednesdays’ where every Wednesday we send a voice diary to our group chat about all sorts of things whether it be inconsequential or life-altering. It's all there. 

“If I got my nails done or if someone made a yummy dinner, we have a little bit of a yarn about whatever's going on in our lives.”  

Nweke was quick to note that in addition to her two best friends, she is lucky to have many great people back home in New Zealand who support her. 

"Moving to Sydney has really put into perspective how blessed I’ve been with the depth and breadth of my friendships in Auckland,” she explained.  

“It can be a bit of a juggling act maintaining them all, but I'd like to think all the important relationships stand the test of time and will take care of themselves once I’m back home.  

“I also call my sister every few days as well as my parents. 

“You really have to make the effort, even the smallest check in and quick catch up goes a long way on both ends of the phone." 

Nweke’s family is part of her identity, her Nigerian heritage a vital part of who she is. 

The goaler was born and raised in Auckland where there’s a small Nigerian community. 

“I've never been to Nigeria,” she said. 

“As a topic, it’s hard because I've always felt there’s this huge part of who I am that I’m very disconnected from.  

“I know when I go to Nigeria eventually, which I'm hoping will be quite soon, being there  will help unlock a part of me I’ve never been able to truly process and feel.” 

Despite feeling a missing piece in her heart, the goaler is grateful for the connections she does have. 

“I can't speak my mother tongue, Igbo, but I understand my parents 75 per cent of the time, when they are talking about household things or telling me off,” she said. 

“My heritage is so important to me. To look the way I do and line up in the black dress with my Igbo surname on my back, proud to represent Aotearoa New Zealand is an honour I don't take lightly.   

“You can look different, sound different and be from wherever and still have a shared  identity that brings people from all walks of life together.” 

Nweke explained that she was really proud to inspire a generation of migrant kids who may be experiencing the same challenges she did growing up.  

“Knowing they can see a reflection of themselves in me and share in my success, is a huge part of my why,” she said. 

With the world watching there’s been a few key messages from head coach Briony Akle ahead of Nweke's Swifts' debut. 

“Not to put pressure on myself,” Nweke said. 

“She's told me I'm not here to save the day or be a hero which I really appreciate.” 

"I've been itching to put the dress on and debut. 

“Once you step on court in that moment no one can take that number away from you, there’s something so powerful about a debut and writing your name in history.” 
 

Pics supplied by Grace Nweke & Getty.