Rockingham’s Sophie Garbin secures new Super Netball deal

Emerging Australian netball talent Sophie Garbin has re-signed with Super Netball outfit Sydney Swifts for 2019.

Garbin, who grew up in Rockingham and went to Kolbe Catholic College, is starting to leave her mark on the game since breaking through at the elite level this season after making the move to Sydney following a record-breaking MVP season in the Australian Netball league last year.

The 21-year-old attacker was named MVP in her first-ever Super Netball game when the Swifts downed Queensland Firebirds in round 1, and has progressed in leaps and bounds, with a shooting record of 109 goals from 124 attempts.

Garbin told supernetball.com.au she was looking forward to another season in the red dress.

“I have learned so much this year and can’t wait to continue that in 2019,” she said.

“While we have had some success I know there is a lot more for this group to give, and having had a taste of it I’m hungry for more.

“I love the environment that (head coach) Briony (Akle) has created and everyone at the club has made me feel very welcome so I can’t wait to go better again in 2019.

“Having made such a great start to the first half of the season it’s disappointing not to be playing finals this year but we’ve shown we can beat everyone in this competition so it’s about being more consistent next season.”

She has represented Western Australia and Australia at under 21/20 and under 17 level on multiple occasions but her recent emergence has attracted praise from a number of netball experts, and club coach Akle has even labelled her “the next Australian shooter”.

Garbin’s Swifts - who sit sixth in the eight-team competition - play Adelaide this weekend looking to end their season on a high.

Her older sister Darcee was named in the Australian women’s basketball training squad ahead of the 2018 FIBA World Cup this week.