The GIANTS will welcome a fresh face in defence for season 2022, with the versatile Lauren Moore making a GIANT move to the club for the 2022 season.
Moore, a NSW junior, started her career with the NSW Swifts as a 17-year-old, making her National League debut at the age of 18.
She spent six years with the Swifts as both a training partner and contracted athlete, playing 39 games and winning two Super Netball titles.
The 23-year-old plays across all three defensive positions but specialises in circle defence.
Sitting behind Diamonds duo Maddy Turner and Sarah Klau at the Swifts, Moore believes a shift across to the GIANTS will allow her greater opportunities to perfect her craft.
“I’m a proud NSW junior, so I’m really excited by the opportunity to continue my career in my home state and play alongside girls who I’ve come through the pathway with,” Moore said.
“I believe Julie Fitzgerald has built something very special at this club and I can’t wait to take the court as a GIANT in 2022.
“Leaving a club I’d been at for six years was a difficult decision to make but I believe it’s the right one to further my netball career, with the potential of more court time as a circle defender.”
Moore played 15 games for the Swifts in 2021, recording 11 intercepts and 29 deflections.
She was also named in Netball Australia’s Development squad for a second year in a row.
Head Coach Julie Fitzgerald welcomed Moore to the GIANTS’ program.
“It’s really exciting to have Lauren come on board for next year,” she said.
“We obviously had a few holes in our defensive end with the departure of Sam (Poolman) and Kristiana (Manu’a).
“Alongside Tilly McDonnell, April Brandley and Amy Parmenter, I think her style will fit in really well.
“Loz is a NSW junior and with seven of our eight announcements so far local players, she can clearly see our club’s dedication to developing homegrown talent.
“She is really keen to be a GIANT and I look forward to seeing what she can do in the orange dress next year.”
Moore signs on with the club on a one-year deal and is the eighth player to commit to the GIANTS for season 2022.
Moore joins captain Jo Harten, young guns Tilly McDonell and Sophie Dwyer, in-form defender April Brandley and the 2021 midcourt of Maddie Hay, Jamie-Lee Price and Amy Parmenter at the club for 2022.
Meanwhile, Kiera Austin has joined the Vixens and Kristiana Manu’a will play in the New Zealand National League in 2022, with inaugural defender Sam Poolman announcing her retirement from the game.
Clubs have until October 8 to finalise their squads, with the GIANTS’ remaining two signings to be announced in the coming days.
