The NSW Swifts, as the state's sole representative will be known, will play Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in Newcastle on April 19 and Melbourne Vixens here on May 5.

The Swifts launch their inaugural campaign against New Zealand's Southern Steel at Homebush's Acer Arena on April 7.

The games in Newcastle are the third and fifth of the season. Netball NSW general manager Carolyn Campbell predicted that both matches would be sell-outs despite the second being on a Monday night.

"They're two marquee games," Campbell said. "Melbourne are probably the second-rated team in Australia, so we're taking one of our big Australian games up there plus one of our internationals.

"We've got three internationals here and we're taking one of them to Newcastle, which I think is a fair balance. We have got some mind-blowing events to go around those games, and we'll be putting all of the bells and whistles around the games and certainly be giving the Hunter public everything we can."

The Swifts' other four home games will be played at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre.

Netball NSW promised to bring games to Newcastle after the Hunter Jaegers were a casualty of the elite netball revamp.

Netball NSW national league player of the year Emma Koster is the only Jaeger so far to earn a contract in the trans-Tasman league, which comprises five teams from Australia and five from New Zealand.

The 23-year-old goal defender was picked up for NSW after an outstanding season for the Jaegers.

"The work she showed at the Jaegers, she had an awesome season and that's just the tip of the iceberg for her," Campbell said. "I think we're providing a platform for her to absolutely launch off."

Koster was expecting to have to bide her time behind Liz Ellis but, when the Australian captain announced her retirement last month, the door was opened for the 2007 Jaegers players' player to make her mark.

"That was one of the reasons I wanted to go to Sydney to play with her," Koster said. "She's so good and plays my position, and I've never really ever had someone I could learn from on the team. But it has given me a huge opportunity, and it's going to be a good challenge for me next year."

The Julie Fitzgerald-coached Swifts will be captained by Australian goal shooter Cath Cox and will also include national players Selina Gilsenan and Susan Pratley. Former Sydney Swifts Erin Bell, Megan Dehn (nee Anderson), Kimberlee Green, Leah Shoard and Vanessa Ware are also on the roster, plus former Melbourne Kestrels defender Rebecca Bulley (nee Strachan).

There are two places still to be filled, and Campbell expected those to be finalised within the next week.