T&T senior women's national team netballer Daystar Swift says she is very happy for the experience gained by competing in the prestigious Netball New Zealand ANZ Premiership this season, despite the many setbacks faced.
The 29-year-old Swift moved to the Robinhood Northern Stars in the ANZ Premiership at the start of the season, her first professional campaign overseas after playing locally for the University of T&T (UTT), University of West Indies (UWI) and T&T Fire Service.
But after making her debut against the Northern Mystics in a 55-59 loss back on March 15, Swift and her team-mates had to wait until June 21 for their next outing, a 39-63 defeat at the hands of reigning champion Central Pulse.
However, when the almost three-month break in the season due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic which brought a stop to almost all sporting activities worldwide, Swift was not among her team's playing roster. This after the T&T international made full use of the break to undergo minor right knee surgery on a torn meniscus.
According to the T&T Commonwealth Games and Netball World Cup team member, she had the injury since before the start of the season and tried doing therapy on it but after playing the ANZ opening round, it got progressively worst, leaving her with no choice but to have the surgery done.
Her absence was greatly felt by her clubmates as the Stars were beaten in six of the next ten matches missed by Swift who made her return to the court in the third quarter of her teams' 52-42 loss to The Good Oil Tactix on July 30 and had one interception and seven penalties.
Overall, Swift has featured in three of the clubs 12 matches to date and has accumulated 22 total penalties, 19 on contact and three for obstruction while instigating three turnovers, two pickups and one intercept in her 62 combined minutes on court.
Speaking from New Zealand yesterday, Swift said she fully understood her lack of playing time following her return from injury.
"I think some of it has to do with combinations as well since I wasn't able to train with the girls at the start of the pre-season back in October last year. I only joined up with my team-mates in January of this year and then my injury had me away from training and practice games. So from a technical staff point of view, it's just about building solid connections on the court."
Being the mother of a toddler, Swift says she was uncertain what her immediate future in the sport would be, following the conclusion of the season at the end of August.
"Discussions for contracts for the 2021 season will happen in the next week or two, however, I'm uncertain of returning for another year because of my job and commitment to family," said Swift a school teacher by profession. "At the same time, I must admit the experience of playing in the ANZ has been a great one. Just being a part of a professional environment and developing as a player has made my experience worthwhile."
On August 9, the Stars, fourth with 21 points from 12 matches, come up against cellar-placed Splice Construction Magic at Claudelands Arena in Hamilton from 3 am (TT time).
They will then conclude the season with matches versus third-placed Mystics, who have 29 points from 11 matches on Wednesday (August 14) and two days later against table-leader Central Pulse, who has 41 points from 11 matches.
Fellow T&T international, goal-shooter Kalifa Mc Collin will be in action today from 3 am (TT time) when her Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel hosts Mystics and then again on Saturday at home to Central Pulse, and Tactix to end the season on August 16.