Warwick netballer weighs in on what it takes to be top coach

DIAMONDS selection for Netball World Cup puzzles fan.

Australian netball coach Lisa Alexander at a camp Sunshine Coast University. Picture: John McCutcheon

Netball Chat column with Linda Bunch

THE Australian Diamonds are out to redeem pride in the four-game Constellation Cup series against New Zealand in October.

There have been some serious reports and interviews surrounding losses the Diamonds suffered recently.

The two most prominent topics for me are the performance of the coach and selection of the team "specific positions”.

Australian Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander does not coach on a weekly basis.

How many people in their chosen field could work about two months out of 12 and excel at the highest level?

Surely this needs to change.

Coaching is not something learnt and executed on paper.

Many factors present here and now; if the coach doesn't deal with this in her weekly "job”, how can she make the best choices in critical moments?

The non-selection of specialised wing defence players stunned me - only one team member had played wing defence prior to the World Cup.

Every position/role in netball has a specific job. It is vital each individual role is executed fully. Players can appear to lack in skill due to a role in front of them not being fulfilled.

The best shooter isn't going to shoot goals if the ball isn't delivered to her.

Goal circle defenders can appear slack for not stopping goals but this can be due to the wing defence not contesting delivery of the ball to the circle.

Even at local and regional levels, I strongly believe players must fulfil their role only (don't get me started on superstar players who try do too much and overplay).

With bated breath I await selection of the Diamonds team for the Constellation Cup.

Juniors relocated

WARWICK netball junior fixtures are on Saturdays at the Scots PGC College outdoor courts (during construction of new courts at Matthews St) and senior fixtures are played at WIRAC on Monday and Tuesday nights. Grand finals will be in September.

Originally published as Warwick netballer weighs in on what it takes to be top coach