Australian shooter Sophie Fawns has impressed Super League fans in her first season in England after moving from hometown club New South Wales (NSW) Swifts.

The 21-year-old, who plays as either a shooter or attacker, joined Manchester Thunder this summer and has quickly become a focal point for the club.

Currently second in the league, Thunder have won four consecutive matches since their loss against London Pulse during the opening weekend.

After her summer move, Fawns is hoping to guide Thunder to their fifth Netball Super Trophy, and their first since 2022.

“I think that urge and wanting to win comes from a good place. It’s just a club that’s trying to push to do better, and it’s got a real loyal fan base as well,” she said.

“Playing the game is not just for yourself, but also for these fans who are putting time in day in day out to come and watch you play, supporting, and giving their hard-earned money. It creates something that’s so special between fans and players.”

The Super League final will also be held at Manchester’s Co-op Area this year, something which is driving the team to make the final.

In fact, Fawns jokes that she would have to ‘leave the country’ the weekend of the final matchup if Thunder are not able to qualify.

Despite her free goal-scoring form this season, which has seen her net 100 goals across five league games, Fawns relationship with netball wasn’t always positive.

Hailing from Australia, where netball tops leaderboards for team sport with the highest participation among women and girls, Fawns began playing at ten-years-old with school friends.

Despite having two older sisters who played, Fawns insists she wanted to do her ‘own thing’ and “pretty much had no desire to play”.

However, after playing for her school team she realised she had a ‘knack’ for the game and never looked back.

“I was probably just having a lot of fun wit it and didn’t really take it too seriously,” she said.

“A lot of coaches suggested I try out for some teams and thought I had a real talent and [netball] could be something I could really pursue if I wanted to.”

Fawns joined the NSW Swifts pathway and soon became one of the most exciting prospects in Australian netball.

After making her professional debut as a temporary replacement in 2022, she secured a full-time contract in 2023.

Fawns admits the culture around the club is ‘so special’ and creates an atmosphere that no player wants to leave. However, she had to prioritise her progression in the game.

Dreaming of one day putting on the green and gold dress of Australia, the English Super League presented itself as the best pathway for Fawns to progress to the next level of her career.

“England wasn’t even on the radar,” she admitted.

“I really wanted to stay in Australia, but Karen Greig reached out to me, and I went into it with an open mind and she didn’t mind me grilling her about some information.

“She wasn’t afraid to tell me what my strengths and weaknesses were, what she thinks we can improve on, and came across as someone who really believed in me and the potential I’ve got.”

Moving to the other side of the world at just 21 years old the experience has been ‘eye opening’ for the shooting sensation.

Enjoying her time in the north of England, the move has allowed her to see what life is like beyond the court.

“I’m just loving every aspect of it and being able to pursue travel but also being able to push yourself as best as you can.

“I think I’m learning so much playing a different calibre of players as well as seeing what they have to offer as well.”

Fawns was not the only arrival from Australia as this summer marked the return of England international, Eleanor Cardwell. The 31-year-old from Blackpool is now in her third spell at Thunder after previous tenures in both 2012 and 2019 respectively.

The shooter had spent the last three years in Australia but believed the time was right to return to England. Cardwell and Fawns have formed a partnership to be reckoned with.

The pair have almost 250 goals between them making them the most clinical partnership in the Super League.

“I think Eleanor’s an incredibly smart player,” said Fawns.

“She’s very talented and that way she moves the ball, there’s no one like her. I think that’s what makes her so special.”

Fawns dreams of making her international debut but remains ‘realistic’ about the prospect of breaking into a stacked Australian team.

She said: “I think the Commonwealth Games is an opportunity that you’re always thinking about. But for me, I think this year, still being quite young, I’m quite realistic about what that looks like.

“As much as I would love to be selected, if it’s not on the cards this year then that’s completely fine by me.”

(All image credit to @maxyoung_photography Instagram)