While the New Zealand franchises in the transtasman netball league have been forced to sit on their hands when it comes to contracting players for next year, their Australian counterparts appear to be well on the way to assembling their line-ups for the inaugural season.
The New South
Wales Swifts yesterday became the first franchise to announce their playing roster for the ANZ Championship, which starts in April.
A delay in setting up a players' association has meant teams on this side of the Tasman cannot formally sign players.
The World Championship-winning shooter Catherine Cox will captain the New South Wales side, which includes fellow Australian team members Selina Gilsenan and Susan Pratley.
Former Australian shooter Megan Dehn returns to the Sydney-based team after spending two seasons playing for the Force in the National Bank Cup.
It is understood Dehn was keen to continue playing in Auckland, but the competition's eligibility rules, which allow for only one import player, meant there was little room.
Also joining the Swifts is former Melbourne Kestrels defender Rebecca Bulley.
The Swifts have named a 10-strong squad at this stage with two more players to be added.
They are looking light on options in the defensive end since the retirement of Liz Ellis.
She ended her playing days after leading Australia to the world title in Auckland last month after initially signing a letter of intent to play for the Swifts.
Also missing from the line-up is tenacious Australian defender Mo'onia Gerrard, who turned out for the Sydney Swifts in Australia's domestic competition.
Gerrard, who was named Australian player of the World Championships, is said to be still looking at a number of options.
NSW SWIFTS SQUAD
Catherine Cox (capt), Selina Gilsenan, Emma Koster, Erin Bell, Rebecca Bulley, Megan Dehn, Kimberlee Green, Susan Pratley, Leah Shoard, Vanessa Ware.
