Outgoing Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander considers taking on code swap with AFLW move
Without a coaching role for the first time in almost nine years, outgoing Diamonds mentor Lisa Alexander is considering a code change, with the AFLW competition holding significant intrigue.
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Ousted Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander is eyeing a code switch after Netball Australia chose not to renew her contract after almost nine years in the top job.
“I’m going to keep coaching one way or another, whether it’s in another sport, I’d love to do some netball. I’ve always loved my AFL,” Alexander said.
“I’ve got a bit of work to do in technical coaching of different sports, but the process of coaching, there are similarities across these sports. So we’ll see what happens.”
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During her reign, Alexander has coached 102 Test matches for Australia and won the Commonwealth Games and the 2015 Netball World Cup.
She has also maintained the Diamonds’ world no.1 status throughout her tenure.
But, after heartbreaking one-point losses to England in the 2018 Commonwealth Games and New Zealand at the 2019 Netball World Cup, Netball Australia decided to take the Diamonds in a new direction.
Alexander admitted she is unsure what exactly this new direction is, but trusts that the governing body will do best for the sport.
“It’s kind of hard to put your finger on, but I’m certain the people in charge of that high performance area, there’ll be a clear direction about which way to move in. I’ve accepted that decision,” Alexander said.
“Obviously the two benchmark events were just not enough for the board to decide to keep going for the next four years.”
As the standard of netball improves around the world, Alexander admitted that it’s become increasingly difficult to maintain the Diamonds No.1 status.
“That will come out in our high performance review, what needs to happen, because it’s not just down to a coaching decision or an umpiring decision. A one-goal loss is a coin toss at the end of the day,” Alexander said.
Next Sunday Alexander will coach her final match for Australia as the Diamonds take on the All Stars at Netball Australia’s bushfire relief match at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.
“In many ways it will be emotional, but it will also be exciting … it’s a great cause and obviously our country has been suffering and people need money to build their lives again,” Alexander said.
Originally published as Outgoing Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander considers taking on code swap with AFLW move
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