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Talented Illawarra junior Taylah Davies says months of rehabilitation for a serious knee injury has been worth it after securing a contract with the NSW Swifts for next season.
Davies suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury after being on court for just four minutes in her Swifts debut against the Thunderbirds in Adelaide in March.
A knee reconstruction and months of uncertainty followed but the 19-year-old is overjoyed to have won a contract with the Swifts for the 2015 campaign.
"I didn't expect it but it's fantastic to know the Swifts have placed their faith in me and given me a contract," Davies said.
"It's five months now since I hurt the knee and you go through some lows but to know I will be playing for the Swifts again is great news.
"It was a very short debut, but just being around the team I feel I know what's expected and how to prepare myself for games.
"The rehab is right on track, I'm reaching all my targets and my goal is to get back on the court after Christmas."
Davies was fast-tracked into the ANZ Championship after being a member of the Netball NSW emerging elite squad and playing for the NSW Waratahs in the Australian National League.
Ironically, she ruptured her ACL when called up as the Swifts's replacement for Paige Hadley, who suffered the same injury just a fortnight earlier at training.
Davies's injury also came the day after she was selected in the Australian under-21 squad.
The Illawarra junior works at DragonFit Training Centre in Wollongong and twice a week undergoes rehabilitation with St George Illawarra NRL assistant physiotherapist Nathan Pickworth at BaiMed in Woonona.
"Nathan and the team [at BaiMed] have been really great and while it's a long recovery process, I can definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel," Davies said.
Her one-year contract with the Swifts begins on December 1, with the NSW franchise commencing the 2015 ANZ Championship season away to New Zealand side Southern Steel in Invercargill on March 1.
The Swifts's first home game is round three against 2014 grand finalists Queensland Firebirds on March 15.
For Swifts membership, see the club's website at nswswifts.com.au