Former Benalla Saints senior netball mentor Dylan Nexhip has received a big promotion, having been appointed head coach of the NSW Swifts Super Netball side.

A Tongala product, Nexhip made the move from the Murray league Blues to guide the Saints in the Goulburn Valley League in 2016, with a two-year stint culminating in the 2017 B grade premiership.

Having joined the Swifts in 2024 and spending two seasons as an assistant under outgoing coach Briony Akle, Nexhip was announced as the new top coach of the Super Netball club on Tuesday, July 14.

The Swifts finished in fifth place in the 2026 season.

An accomplished player himself, Nexhip spent five years as captain of the Australian Kelpies, the national men’s netball side, announcing his retirement last month.

In a club statement, Nexhip said the club has a “strong culture and an unwavering commitment to excellence.”

“The foundations of the Swifts are incredibly strong, but the game continues to evolve and so must we,” he said.

“We want to be known for our energy, our performance and our willingness to innovate. We want to be the best.

“We will continue to invest in our people, challenge ourselves to think differently and create an environment where every individual can contribute to our success.

“I’m looking forward to working with our players and staff, as well as thrilling and exciting our partners, members and fans as we build the next chapter of the NSW Swifts together.”

Swifts general manager Jeremy Butler praised Nexhip’s vision for the club.

“Dylan’s vision for the future is an exciting blend of a world-class high-performance environment with a holistic approach to athlete development and wellbeing,” he said.

“He understands that sustained success comes from creating an environment where players are empowered and inspired to perform at their best.

“What stands out is Dylan’s commitment to innovation.

“We are excited by his willingness to embrace new ideas, value individuality and look at different ways to create an environment where athletes and staff can thrive and maximise their strengths.”

Nexhip was back in Tongala last week, sharing some of his now Super Netball head coach level knowledge with the Blues’ A-grade side at a midweek training session and attending the club’s crushing victory over Numurkah.

“It was just great (to have Dylan back in Tongala),” Tongala coach Abby Pettifer said.

“He's coached me and been one of my really good friends forever, so it was nice for him to come and somewhat back my decisions, and the girls realised that it's not an easy job to coach.”

The 2026 Super Netball season wrapped on July 4, with the Adelaide Thunderbirds claiming the premiership.

The 2027 fixture is expected to be confirmed later this year.

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Friday, 19th November 2027

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