Netballer Sophie Dwyer fulfills her Commonwealth Games dream
Sophie Dwyer, 24, started playing netball at seven years of age, dreaming of being part of the Australian team one day. So, joining the Diamonds for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow from 23 July to 2 August, was ‘very special.’
“I’ve been a very big netball nerd since (as long as) I can remember,” Sophie says. “I’ve always watched the Diamonds and wanted to be a Diamond when I was older, so I think getting my debut and playing in the green and gold was very, very special.”
The athlete, who was born in North Sydney and grew up playing for the Eastwood/Ryde Netball Association, has a main position of goal attack (GA), but also plays goal shooter (GS). She has played with the Giants in the Suncorp Super Netball series for the past six years, and will move to their newly branded team, the Sydney Sirens, in 2027.
Sophie made her debut with the Diamonds in 2022, competing in the Constellation Cup against New Zealand, and has played with them a number of times since. But she describes participating in the Commonwealth Games as ‘a different level.’
“Having the same uniform as all the other sports and being part of Team Australia was really cool. It was definitely a dream come true,” she says. Sophie’s parents, Anthony and Louise, were there when she was presented with her uniform.
She describes the ‘community aspect’ of having other Australian athletes from different sports backing and supporting each other, as something ‘you really do feel.’
When the Diamonds were defeated by Jamacia in the semi-final match, 46-45, missing out on a chance to play for a gold medal, the team, Sophie says, was disappointed. But she adds that they showed great resilience in turning up to their game the next day to face England, winning bronze with a score of 68-50.
Above: Sophie shoots for Australia
“There was always going to be disappointment after losing the semi-final because obviously everyone goes in wanting to win the gold medal,” Sophie says. “I think we showed a lot of resilience to turn it around quickly and put out a really strong performance the next day after a disappointing game.
“It wasn’t exactly what we were hoping for when we went in, as everyone would say, the gold was our goal, but I was really proud to come away with a bronze medal. There’s not many people that can say they have a Commonwealth Games medal.”
Sophie received a shout out from Warringah MP Zali Steggall on Facebook on 31 July, along with other athletes including fellow Diamond player Kiera Austin, with Zali saying: “A huge congratulations to every Australian athlete who has already won a medal, and a special shout out to the incredible athletes representing Warringah. I know the dedication, sacrifice and years of training it takes to represent your country. We are so proud of you all.”