Sharni Layton

Who is Sharni Layton?

Sharni Layton is an Australian netball player for the NSW Swifts and Australian Diamonds.

Layton began her career in 2004 for the Melbourne Kestrels. She then received a scholarship to the Australian Institute of Sport in 2007, and was awarded captaincy in 2009.

Layton was a member of the Australian U21 team from 2006–09, winning gold at the 2009 World Youth Netball Championships in the Cook Islands where she was vice captain of the side. In 2008, Layton was signed to play for the Melbourne Vixens in the ANZ Championship. She was not signed the following year, but in 2010 Layton transferred to the Adelaide Thunderbirds.

Layton was announced as the first nominee for the ANZ Championship's new MARS Red Best Young Player Award in 2010. Introduced to recognise emerging stars in the ANZ Championship, the 2010 winner will receive a A$5,000 cash prize, courtesy of award sponsor MARS Red. On 9 July she was announced as the winner.

Layton won her first ANZ Championship Premiership in 2010 over the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic 52 - 42.

In 2011, Layton was named Vice Captain of the Adelaide Thunderbirds under Captain Natalie von Bertouch. Later that year, Layton was selected to represent the Australian Netball Diamonds at the World Netball Championships in Singapore winning a gold medal and the Holden Netball Test Series, regaining the number 1 rank in the world for Australia.