Be like Liz: How Leesa Mi Mi is living her dream alongside her hero Liz Watson
Growing up Leesa Mi Mi was told to ‘be like Liz’ and it worked with the rising star now playing alongside her childhood hero, Liz Watson, at the Sunshine Coast Lightning.
Netball
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Growing up Leesa Mi Mi knew everything there was to know about Diamonds midcourter Liz Watson’s game – she analysed and mimicked as best she could – and it landed her a spot right alongside her at the Sunshine Coast Lightning.
Despite the season being almost at the halfway point and Mi Mi playing a key role for the Lightning the 23-year-old said it was still sinking in that she was not only playing Super Netball but doing it in a team with her idol Watson.
An injury to Macy Gardner opened the door for Mi Mi to play five games.
Her efforts on the court caught the eye of Lightning coach Belinda Reynolds.
With the CBA debacle unfolding and uncertainty rife, Mi Mi said she found it hard to believe Reynolds when she called and asked if she would be interested in joining the Lightning.
“(Reynolds) said she couldn’t really offer me anything because the CBA hadn’t been signed but that she would like me to be part of the contracted 10 (this) season),” Mi Mi said.
“I was happy with that. I moved up here at the end of November, none of us were on contract so we weren’t getting paid and I still had this feeling like am I actually getting a contract or not.
“Once I met (Reynolds) and had a tour of the stadium I began to get really excited, but it was very nerve wracking, especially having moved out of home and not having a solid position.”
Once the CPA was sorted and Mi Mi’s signature on a contract it really hit her she was about to play her first season as a full-time professional netballer – on the same team as Watson.
“It’s been amazing,” Mi Mi said.
“I really didn’t think it would ever happen. At the start of my netball journey, when I was playing under-age, my coaches always used to say – ‘analyse Liz, do what Liz does, move like Liz does’.
“Now I get to be on a court with her and pass her the ball – it’s just a really fun feeling that you get.”
This weekend Mi Mi will come up against her former club the Firebirds in the Queensland derby.
“It is always fun to go back up against your friends,” Mi Mi said.
“It’s like friendly fire. I’m still friends with them but the mentality switches when we are on court – we’ll still be friends after the game but when the whistle goes it’s game time.”
Lightning finally notched their second win of the season last weekend against Vixens and their confidence will be hard for the struggling Firebirds to combat.
“We had four losses in a row but we never pointed fingers at anyone we always stuck together, which is what I really love about this team,” Mi Mi said.
“I think last weekend showed that we are a great team, we have such a strong culture, whatever comes at us we join together and can do whatever we need to combat it, it’s a good environment and I love being in it.”
Mi Mi’s plan for the season was to soak up as much as she could from Watson, Reynolds and her other teammates. She figured she would be spending a lot of time on the bench.
Reynolds had other plans.
Mi Mi has played in every match.
“I didn’t think I was going to get this much court time,” Mi Mi said.
“I’ve got a glimpse of what a 60 minute game at centre feels like, I realised it is tiring at this level.
“My goal is to just be more consistent throughout the whole game, I have some good patches and not so good patches so I just want to limit those areas in a 60 minute game.”
Mi Mi has played at centre and wing attack so far this season and she wouldn’t be pushed to reveal if she had a preferred position.
“I’m happy to play wherever, I don’t really mind. Unfortunately I won’t be able to go on as a shooter or as a defender because I don’t hit that six foot mark, but other than that – anywhere they need me,” Mi Mi said.
While both teams will be fighting for the Spirit Cup the round also doubles as First Nations Round.
Mi Mi, is one of two First Nations athletes in the Super Netball competition this season. The other Donnell Wallam will line up for the Firebirds.
“I think it is an amazing week to embed the indigenous culture into the sport and the Sunny Coast club has done it so well,” Mi Mi said.
Lightning will host Firebirds at Uni SC Arena at 5pm on Saturday (AEST).
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