As one of the founding licensees of Netball NSW Premier League, Panthers Netball has played an important role in shaping the competition since its inception. Built on strong leadership, community connection and high-performance expertise, the Licensee continues to contribute to the development of athletes across Western Sydney.
Panthers Netball remains closely connected to its origins, with several founding figures including long serving board members Tricia Mann and Joy Gillett, still actively involved today.
The licensee also boasts strong international experience across officiating, coaching and playing ranks, including Tricia Mann (International Bench Official), Tamara Buriani-Gennai (International Umpire) and Lisa Beehag OAM (former Australian Diamond and NSW Swifts Coach).
Beehag has also been involved with Panthers Netball since its inaugural season, initially coaching the Opens team before transitioning into her current role as High-Performance Manager, helping oversee the athlete pathway.
While none of the players from the inaugural squad remain, Panthers Netball proudly recognises Paige Hadley, an Australian Diamond and NSW Swifts player, as its number one named player. Although Hadley never took the court in the Premier League, her roots as a Penrith junior make her a fitting figurehead for the licensee and a powerful example of the pathway from grassroots netball to the international stage.
Within the current playing group, Opens athlete Sophia Meehan has made headlines both on and off the court. In 2025, Meehan reached the finals of the Miss World Australia competition while continuing to compete at Premier League level. She was also selected as Captain of the ACT 19U team, highlighting her leadership.
The Panthers 23U team delivered an outstanding 2025 campaign, finishing the regular season as minor premiers before claiming runner-up honours in the Grand Final. The result marked a strong achievement for the squad as they continue to develop emerging athletes while maintaining strong links to elite netball.
As Netball NSW Premier League continues to showcase the state’s best emerging and established talent, Panthers Netball remains proud to be part of the competition in 2026, building on its strong foundations while continuing to support athlete development across the Western Sydney region.
