Australian netball star Sophie Fawns joins Manchester Thunder for the 2026 season

Manchester Thunder Netball have today confirmed that Australian NSW Swifts shooting sensation, Sophie Fawns, will be joining them for the 2026 season, pairing with Vitality Rose Eleanor Cardwell in the shooting circle, who has joined Thunder from SSN rivals, Melbourne Mavericks.

Fawns, a Wagga Wagga native and graduate of the Netball NSW Swifts pathway, made her elite debut as a temporary replacement player in 2022, before securing a full-time contract in 2023. Over four seasons, she donned the iconic red dress in 44 appearances - including a standout performance in the 2023 Grand Final - earning her place as one of the most exciting upcoming shooters in the world.

Reflecting on her time with the Swifts, Fawns said: “I will always love the Swifts and getting the chance to put on the red dress is something I’ll continue to be immensely proud of. I grew up watching the Swifts and dreaming that I could one day play for them - and I got the chance to fulfil that dream... A new opportunity has arisen for me and I feel the time is right to go and explore it and see what I can do in a new environment.”

Since the announcement of Fawns leaving Swifts, rumours have been spreading like wildfire on social media of what club (and country) Fawns would end up at, however it was the four-time Netball Super League winners, Manchester Thunder, who got her signature, in a high-profile move and a statement signing for the League.

Fawns said: “I’ve always wanted to play overseas and play in a different league, and I was really lucky that this opportunity came by. It was a hard decision to leave the Swifts, but it wasn’t a hard decision to go and play abroad, and I’m super excited to play against new people and see what other countries have to offer.

“I definitely think playing in the SSN for the past four years has really sharpened my game. It’s really tough with every opponent that you’re coming up against being super strong, both physically and mentally, and you have to be a lot smarter. It was a big shock when I first came in to the league that everyone is just as fast and just as fit, and it’s really about the brains of the game. That experience has helped shape the athlete that I am today.

“On the court with Thunder, I just want to learn and soak up as much as I can when playing in a different competition, coming up against different players and learn as much as I can off Karen [Greig.] I think everyone in this league has so much to offer and I can’t wait to build and strengthen my game. With the Super Shot now being incorporated in to the Netball Super League, I can bring my expertise through playing it in the SSN and bring something new to the table with some new strategies to try out.”

Karen Greig, Manchester Thunder Franchise Director and Head Coach, said: “I’m so delighted and excited to have secured Sophie’s signature. I have admired her since she debuted for swifts at eighteen years old, and she is a super athlete who can offer us both shooting positions and is fearless on her shot from anywhere in the circle. 

“Having spoken to her over the past few months, she is a true professional and a really great personality and I can’t wait to see what she can bring both on and off court to our Thunder environment. I’m looking forward to develop her game as I feel there is still so much untapped potential to draw out of her! 

“Welcome to the Thunder Family Sophie. We can’t wait to have you with us soon!”

Fawns concluded: “I feel very lucky to be playing with Eleanor Cardwell at Thunder. I think she’s an amazing player who is so clever and she thinks so differently about the game and she’s so strong in the circle. I’m very happy to finally be on the same team and not against her, especially in those two point times, and just in general she is insanely accurate, so I can’t wait to be in partnership with her this year.”

To keep up to date with the latest NSL signings in the 2025 signing window, make sure you're following the NSL's socials on X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, as well as your favourite Club's socials to see each announcement as it happens. Or, you can keep up to date with all the ins and outs here.

Image: Getty images