Jackson to Firebirds, Nweke stays at Swifts
- Dave Worsley
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Grace Nweke has recommitted to the NSW Swifts for the 2026 Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) season, while fellow Silver Fern Kelly Jackson is leaving the Pulse for the Queensland Firebirds.
Twenty-three-year-old Nweke who has just been named in Silver Ferns squad for the 2025/26 international window, debuted for the Swifts in Round 1 in Perth and scored a remarkable 718 goals in her first SSN season.
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Nweke has quickly become of the most respected players in the League. Having missed out on the playoffs in 2024, Nweke anchored a Swifts attacking unit which fired the Club back into the Finals Series in 2025.
Nweke said her drive to help return the Swifts to top spot at season’s end was a key factor in her decision to re-sign with the seven-time Premiers.
“Firstly, I would like to thank the Swifts for making me feel so welcome this year,” she said.
“The history of success at the Swifts and desire to add to that legacy fosters a dynamic and enriching training environment. I’ve loved being a part of it and am eager for more.
“While we had some amazing highs and milestones in 2025, I feel that as a group we have unfinished business. With one season under my belt and lots of learning I am excited to see what we can achieve next year.
“Our fans have been incredible this season and their support has made my transition to Sydney life so much easier. I look forward to seeing some now familiar faces back at Ken Rosewall Arena next year and hopefully reward their love with a successful season”.
Meanwhile a new challenge for Pulse and Silver Ferns defender Jackson, a three-time Dame Lois Muir Supreme Award winner joinging the Queensland Firebirds in the 2026 season.
``Reflecting on my age, where I’m at in my career and, also, NNZ revising the exemption process, it just really felt like an opportunity I couldn’t turn down,’’ Jackson said.
``I was fortunate enough to play two years in the (former) ANZ Championship and got to experience playing against all the Australians and other internationals on a weekly basis which was a pretty cool experience.
``And I guess the thought of playing in the SSN has been in the back of my mind for a little while now and has been on my netball bucket list, so I’m really excited for the challenge ahead.
``I want to use this opportunity to grow my game, both on and off the court. I think it’s really important to put yourself in uncomfortable positions. I haven’t lived overseas before and obviously haven’t played in that league before so it’s all going to be very new and a challenge I’m really excited for.’’
Spending four years with the Magic when starting her elite level career as a teenager, Jackson, originally from Taranaki, moved to the Pusle in 2020 where injury-free and a growing maturity pushed her game to new levels.
In the Pulse environment, Jackson’s game just got better and better, the accolades for the 1.92m last line of defence coming thick and fast ever since through her ball-winning abilities, courtesy of an impressive wing span, long lean, rebounding skills and strong positional play, to stamp her mark as the country’s top goalkeeper. And a fan favourite.
She won two ANZ Premiership titles with the Pulse in 2020 and 2022 while in a rare treble, was anointed the Dame Lois Muir Supreme Award winner between 2022 and 2024, acknowledging her as the country’s best player. She was also the ANZ Premiership Player of the Year in 2022 and the Pulse’s Player of the Year in 2025.
Jackson has played a total of 127 matches for the Pulse and Magic across the ANZC and ANZP.
