After six years of support, the Sydney Swans have extended their partnership with the NSW Swifts for three more years, until the end of 2016.

Swans chief executive Andrew Ireland and defender Lewis Roberts-Thomson met with Netball NSW chief executive Carolyn Campbell and Swifts goal shooter Susan Pratley at the SCG for the announcement this morning.

Roberts-Thomson, who has enjoyed his fair share of netball growing up with three sisters, said the ongoing partnership was a positive result for both clubs.

“I think it’s wonderful news,” he told SwansTV.

“Firstly from a players’ point of view, it’s really good to see the Swifts out on the court challenging the other teams and having their future secure now.

“For the Swifts, I think it’s really good that the partnership is starting to form and it’s great news for both teams.”

The Swans have supported the NSW Swifts as their premier partner since 2008, when the NSW club won the ANZ Championship in its inaugural year.

Roberts-Thomson said he felt the Swans and Swifts shared the same values and desire to succeed at the top level.

“One of the great things about the Swifts is that they are able to use our facilities,” he said.

“On a number of occasions as a player you see them in the gym working hard and that’s fantastic to see that they’ve got a great culture and great work ethic.

“I think we can build from that too and can learn a lot, and the two teams can work in tandem there.”

Pratley, who is the NSW Swifts’ vice-captain, said her club thoroughly enjoyed being aligned with the Swans.

“It’s fantastic for the Swifts, and I think the Swans are a great partnership,” she said.

“They are our big brothers and we really enjoy our partnership with them.

“It’s fantastic just to be part of the club.”

The talented goal shooter said the Swifts benefitted from the use of the Swans’ facilities at the SCG as well as enjoyed attending Swans games and functions, including the Ladies Lunch which a number of Swifts players attend each year.

“We get to enjoy their facilities and recovery centres and we also get to go along to games and enjoy that side of it as well,” she said.

The Swans and the Swifts will have another area in common this year, with Swans forward Kurt Tippett’s younger sister Gretel signing with the NSW Swifts for the 2014 season.

Roberts-Thomson said he was confident that netball skills must run in the Tippett family.

“I think Kurt Tippett might be a really good netballer,” Roberts-Thomson said.

“His sister seems to be pretty good on the netball court and he’s certainly got the height and the skill.

“I’m sure he looks good in a netball dress there too!”  

Both the Swans and Swifts will also continue to have the support of principal partner QBE, who have been a proud partner of the Swans for 27 years and the Swifts since their inception.