Swifts without NZ star Johnson for season

The NSW Swifts won't have the services of Kayla Johnson for their Super Netball title defence this season after the Silver Ferns star announced the pending arrival of her first child.

Defensive utility Johnson (nee Cullen) will take time away from the sport, leaving the Swifts to seek a replacement.

The 47-Test veteran featured as a replacement player late in the Swifts' premiership-winning campaign last year and had signed her first full-season Super Netball contract for 2020.

The 27-year-old moved to Sydney last year to be with husband Shaun Johnson, the former Warriors NRL star who joined the Cronulla Sharks.

Swifts head coach Briony Akle said Johnson had shown her class during her brief stint last year and would be difficult to replace.

"I know she was very excited about testing herself further in the Super Netball environment but sometimes life happens and now she is about to embark on a different, but very special, journey," Akle said.