Paris Olympics 2024: Opals Cultural overhaul puts Cambage distractions to bed

A first-up clash against Nigeria will drag up old memories of the match that saw Liz Cambage withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics after a disastrous run-in with Nigerian players.

Australia’s Opals stars believe three years of hard work bulletproofing their culture after the Liz Cambage fiasco will allow them to avoid any “debilitating” distractions ahead of their Paris opener against Nigeria.

Cambage elbowed a Nigerian opponent and called one rival a “monkey” in a 2021 pre-Olympics contest that ultimately saw her withdrawing from the Tokyo Olympics citing mental health concerns.

It was a savage and ill-timed blow for an Opals team that did not get past the quarter finals as they admitted in a tear-stained exit they had been unable to overcome Cambage’s exit.

This Paris team is a vastly different and more cohesive team after a series of culture meetings and efforts big and small to bring together a team fractured by Cambage’s departure.

Cayla George and Lauren Jackson have helped rebuild the Opals after the disaster of 2021. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Opals star Lauren Jackson lauded that change entering Paris after the hard yards done by the likes of team builder Cayla George and Australian captain Tess Madgen.

George told News Corp the test of any culture was its ability to stand up under Olympic heat.

And a first-up must-win clash against that same Nigerian team will provide the perfect test.

“What was done was done years ago and we are past that now. It’s a whole different dynamic. (Tokyo) was different with the Covid situation and the lack of preparation and we had a few things go on for us as the Opals right before the games that were a bit distracting,” she said.

“So overall it was just a really different tournament for us.

“We learnt a lot of things. Skip forward and our culture’s done a massive 180. We are in a really good spot to bring the program back to where it needed to be and keep pushing and making it even better.

The Liz Cambage fiasco had a significant impact on the Australian team.

“And the headlines will be what they will be. People write stuff in the media all the time. People say stuff on social media all the time. If we listen to that, it would be pretty debilitating So we just have to get on with it. And that’s our job.

“We are professionals, and to play for the Opals is really special. No one can take it away from us.”

George credits captain Magden with building relationships among teammates alongside coach Sandy Brondello after that turbulent time.

“Tess is an unreal leader. We have had some great leaders in this program. Tess is also a captain that allows us to all be our own leaders and she gives us a voice, which I think is really important,” she said.

As Jackson was confirmed as a five-time Olympian she made clear a large part of that decision was based on her comfort within a program that values team over ego.

Opals Lauren Jackson, Tess Madgen, Isobel Borlase, Cayla George and Marianna Tolo at the announcement. Picture: Michael Klein

“A lot of people talk about culture but this team has really focused on it. For me it’s the first time I have witnessed something like this. It’s opened my eyes and changed my perspective a lot in terms of team culture and what it means. It’s been really special. We are in for a ride and I am just glad to be here,” she said.

“I think there has been a real shift towards making sure we have great people involved and Tess Madgen is an incredible leader on and off the courts. She instils confidence in the players, she gets everyone involved.

“There has been a real effort to ensure everyone has a voice, and everyone is heard.

“I have never been in a group that cares so much about everyone else.

“It’s like any relationship, you have to do the work and we do the work through zoom, through culture meetings, through getting to know each other. We have put in a lot of time and effort to make this real. You can see the way we play, people can see how well we are working and gelling together. It’s a testament to the work we do behind the scenes.”