O’Brien was injured when training with the team at Qudos Bank Arena on Tuesday and went for an MRI scan afterwards, which confirmed she had suffered an acute complete rupture of her right Achilles tendon. The injury has an expected recovery time of up to 12 months.
The 21-year-old is in her second year of elite netball at the NSW Swifts having made her debut last season, becoming the 50th player to play for the club.
Born and bred in NSW, and a product of the Netball NSW pathway, O’Brien played for the Swifts in last weekend’s narrow loss to the Queensland Firebirds in Brisbane.
Head coach Briony Akle said she and the playing group had been dealt a huge blow by the injury to a player regarded as one of the brightest prospects in Australian netball.
“First and foremost I am shattered for Claire as she has worked so hard to gain a place in our roster at such a young age,” Akle said.
“She has been the ultimate professional on and off the court and been really vital to our successes this season. One of our strengths has been our ability to rotate the bench during games and Claire fitted in seamlessly to that game plan.
“This is a cruel blow and I know all the players and staff at the Swifts and Netball NSW are feeling for her at this time.”
Akle said she believed O’Brien would return to the game better than ever and become stronger in the long-term.
“Claire is very young and I think that will work as a positive for her at this time,” she added.
“While she will be understandably upset and disappointed by the injury, we have already started to get her on the mend and I know she will take to her recovery program in the same way she does her training; with passion and hard work.
“Everyone at the NSW Swifts, on and off the court, will be behind her and we look forward to seeing her back in action sooner rather than later.
“This is just a road block for Claire and she will remain a key part of our support setup.”
Akle also advised that fellow NSW Swifts rookie Sophie Garbin had been ruled out of the team’s clash with the Melbourne Vixens this weekend with a foot injury. However, she said Garbin missing the game was simply a precaution.
– from NSW Swifts
