It’s been a big couple of weeks for Sophie Dwyer, with the young GIANTS star most recently named the league’s Rising Star for 2021.
The award, presented at the 2021 Australian Netball Awards, comes just two weeks after Dwyer was elevated into the Origin Australian Diamonds Squad and selected to travel to the Quad Series in London in January.
After joining the GIANTS as a training partner for the 2020 season, Dwyer was awarded her first contract with the GIANTS ahead of the 2021 season.
Coming into 2021, she was aiming to be an impact player given the experienced goalers she had around her.
After the season-ending injury to Kiera Austin in round one, Dwyer got an opportunity that she took with two hands and went on to become one of the most talked about rising talents in Australian netball.
Playing 993 minutes and all 17 matches, Dwyer finished the season with 389 goals, 52 Super Shots, 139 goal assists and 772 Nissan Net Points (the third highest of any GIANT).
Named in Netball Australia’s Development Squad, Dwyer was also invited to attend the Origin Australian Diamonds camp on the Sunshine Coast at the end of the Super Netball season, which later turned into elevation to the squad and selection to travel to the Quad Series.
“It’s been a big year,” said Dwyer.
“At the start of the season I had the mindset of wanting to take any opportunity I got with both hands and to now reflect on not only the season itself, but Diamonds squad selection and the Rising Star it is pretty surreal.”
With the Australian Netball Awards held via a virtual event this year, Dwyer was first informed of her recognition as the Rising Star at training earlier this week.
“I found out while at training with all the GIANTS girls and it was a very special moment to share with them all,” she said.
“They were all super excited for me and I was just so proud to be selected form a group of really strong young talent.”
A determined and mature now 20-year-old, Dwyer went into the most recent Diamonds camp as invitee but wanting to send a clear message.
“Even though I was an invitee I wanted to be held to the same standards as all the other squad members,” Dwyer said.
“I didn’t want to be thought of as the young player helping to make up numbers.
“I wanted to prove I was able to play with best in Australia.
“The Diamonds are a group I have looked up to ever since I took up netball, so to now be part of the squad is an exciting and massive honour.”
Reflecting on her 2021 season, Dwyer feels a sense of pride.
“I am pretty proud of what I was able to achieve,” she said.
“At the start of the season I picked the quote ‘luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity’ to put on my GIANTS locker. I see that quote every day and it really has summed up my season.
“I definitely felt myself grow in confidence as the season progressed, to back myself and my abilities.”
Grateful for this award but wanting to shake the tag of being a young player, Dwyer’s only got her sights set on growth.
“I’m continually working with the GIANTS staff to set goals and target areas to work on to ensure I am able to grow my game in season 2022 and beyond.”
The 2022 Suncorp Super Netball season is set to commence on 26 March. GIANTS Netball Memberships are now on sale and the best way to be part of the action season.
