Swifts swoop on England defender

STACY SQUIRES/The Press

SIGNING: The NSW Swifts have signed England's Sonia Mkoloma.

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The NSW Swifts have made the coup of the off-season, with the signing of England co-captain Sonia Mkoloma.

The 30-year-old goal defence, a veteran of 85 Tests, will boost the Swifts in their bid to return to the finals of the trans-Tasman championship after finishing ninth this year.

Coach Julie Fitzgerald said Mkoloma was a proven defender and leader. "I enjoyed working with Sonia. I saw different sides of her game, she has versatility and she is everything we are looking for," Fitzgerald said on meeting her in New Zealand in August. ''There's more changes this time around than usual … players retire, they move on.''

In recent years, NSW have lost defenders Liz Ellis (retired 2007), Selina Gilsenan (retired 2008) and Mo'onia Gerrard (Adelaide).

"I am glad to be given the opportunity to be part of the Swifts," Mkoloma said. "They have great players in their mix.''

Mkoloma, who will now miss six warm-up matches before next year's Commonwealth Games, is one of four new signings.

But England coach, Sue Hawkins, said she was happy for Mkoloma to be exposed to Trans-Tasman netballers. ''Her on- and off-court personality will lift the Swifts, I am sure of that.''

Swifts players said they could not explain what happened this year. Mid-court player Vanessa Ware said the losses were ''frustrating''. Kimberlee Green said: ''We had enough ball … we became afraid to give the ball.'' And defender Rebecca Bulley said: ''It just didn't go to plan.''

The other new signings are young players from the AIS, Ashleigh Brazill, Kimberley Borger and Courtney Tairi. The Swifts will open their ANZ Championship campaign on March 21 against the Queensland Firebirds on the Gold Coast.

The 2010 NSW Swifts squad is: Catherine Cox (c), Kimberley Borger, Ashleigh Brazill, Rebecca Bulley, Kimberlee Green, Samantha May, Sonia Mkoloma, Susan Pratley, Kimberly Smith, Courtney Tairi, Vanessa Ware, Amy Wild.