'Principles are the same': Swifts help Madge prepare for Origin

New Blues coach Michael Maguire hopes to instil a similar level of connection among his players as he witnessed from the NSW Swifts netball team after spending time in their inner sanctum.

Maguire will select his first team as Origin coach on Sunday night and he has left no stone unturned in preparing for the series opener at Accor Stadium on June 5.

The former Kiwis mentor spent time with premiership winning Swifts coach Briony Akle before, during and after the recent Super Netball match against West Coast Fever and he was impressed by how invested the playing group were.

“Probably one thing that really struck me was just the connection among the girls,” Maguire said.

“It's a pretty tight little group, and that’s the reason why they've had success.

“I was fortunate to be able to sit in on some of their meetings and see how focused the girls were. I was really impressed with how well they communicate between each other.

“They got challenged in that game, but they were willing to talk about what needed to happen and how they were going to do things.”

With two daughters and three sisters, Maguire already had an appreciation for netball and former Wests Tigers and Sharks CEO Steve Noyce, a mutual friend, introduced him to Akle.

“I’ve seen a fair bit of netball over my time, and I really enjoy the game,” Maguire said.

“I've been watching the Swifts, they’ve been a very successful organisation and Briony has been excelling as a coach for a long, long time.

“We're both in a team sport where you are trying to get the best out of people and I was very, very impressed by the conversations and how she set up things up for her players.

“It was great to watch how they dissect what's going on and what they need to do.

“I got to hear a little bit prior about their game plan and how they wanted to break down the opposition, so I understood what they were trying to do.

“Sitting down really close to the game, I was really impressed by the speed and the way in which the girls move.

“It was intense and quick, and to see the tactical part of the game, and the coaching, was really good.”

Akle, who will oversee her 100th game in charge of the Swifts on Saturday in Adelaide, is a rugby league fan and cheered NSW to victory with her four sons in the opening match of the women’s State of Origin.

She has also previously invited Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson into the Swifts camp, while Sky Blues coach Kylie Hilder and her squad attended the May 12 match against Melbourne Vixens.

“This time last year I spent some time with them,” Akle said. “They asked me to come and talk, so I presented to them and just talked about performance under pressure and mindset.

“It doesn’t matter what sport it is, it is always good to get together with other coaches to share experiences and share things that work and don’t work.

“You don’t need to know netball or know rugby league, the principles are the same around strategy, people management, your messaging, trying to get your game plan across and getting buy in from the players.

“Madge came to the pre-game and halftime talk. After the game we had a coffee and caught up.”

Maguire said he would consider welcoming Akle into the Blues camp if the opportunity arose during the upcoming Origin series.

“Briony would certainly be welcome,” Maguire said. “We will stay in contact with what’s ahead and if there is an opportunity to connect again, we will do that.”