THE 2023 Australian Netball Championships are up and running, with the Adelaide Thunderbirds Futures, QBE Swifts Academy, Collingwood and Firebirds Futures all picking up Day 1 wins.

Adelaide Thunderbirds Futures (57) defeated Sunshine Coast Lightning Bolts (41)

The Thunderbirds got their 2023 campaign off to the perfect start, downing the Lightning Bolts in an impressive performance.

The Bolts took the lead early, before the Thunderbirds fought back in the second term to take the lead into the main break. Adelaide could not put the game away until the final quarter though, as a 22 goal to 10 final term sealed the deal.

Tyler Orr (40 feeds, 28 assists) starred in midcourt for the Thunderbirds, while Lucy Austin (28 goals from 32 attempts) had a solid day under the ring.

Meanwhile for the Lightning Bolts Ava Black (25 feeds, 17 assists) had a solid game, as did Charlie Bell (22 goals from 27 attempts).

QBE Swifts Academy (66) defeated Vic Fury (54)

In one of the more impressive results from Day 1, the Swifts Academy had a big win over the Vic Fury.

The Swifts dominated for the first three quarters, so by the time the Fury finally won a quarter in the last quarter it did not dent the result.

Alison Miller (44 goals from 46 attempts) absolutely starred under the ring for the Swifts, as did Teigan O’Shannassy up the other end (six gains, five deflections, three intercepts) up the other end.

Meanwhile for the Fury Zara Walters (39 feeds, 24 assists) had a big game, as did Emily Andrew (38 goals from 41 attempts).

Collingwood (57) defeated GIANTS Academy (51)

Despite the slow start, Collingwood has come from behind to defeat the GIANTS Academy.

The GIANTS won the first two quarters to take a four goal lead into the main break, before losing that lead in the third term and scores were level at the final change. Collingwood then put its foot down in the last to take the win.

Jane Cook was a star for the Magpies, only missing one goal, while Montana Holmes (31 feeds, 18 assists) had a solid shift in mid court.

Meanwhile for the GIANTS Eliza Burton (34 feeds, 23 assists) and Amy Sligar (23 feeds, 14 assists) starred in mid court.

Firebirds Futures (60) defeated West Coast Fever Futures (56)

It was a tight affair to close out the day, with the Firebirds narrowly taking out the win.

It was breath takingly close all game, but the Firebirds managed to hold on to put their first win on the board.

Abigail Meafou (32 goals from 36 attempts) led the way in attack for the Queenslanders, while Ashlee Barnett (four gains, four deflections, three rebounds) did the same up the other end.

Meanwhile for the Fever Reserves Liz Dronfield (five gains, four deflections, three rebounds) had a big game in defence, as did Jordan Cransberg (38 feeds, 22 assists) in midcourt.