House debates

Thursday, 13 February 2020

Statements by Members

Women in Sport, Alexander, Ms Lisa

1:30 pm

Photo of Joanne RyanJoanne Ryan (Lalor, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Women's sport is going from level to level in this country. The women's BBL has just finished, the Matildas have just beaten Thailand 6-0, the fourth AFLW season has just commenced with record crowds and the ICC Women's T20 World Cup is set to begin. With all that in mind, I want to pay tribute today in this parliament to a true leader of Australian sport and one of Australian sport's most successful coaches. Sadly, Netball Australia announced yesterday afternoon they wouldn't be extending the contract of head coach, Lisa Alexander. Lisa is a great friend of mine, a great Victorian and a great friend to a lot of people involved in netball. I want to thank her for her service to our great sport.

Lisa coached Australia for 102 tests with an 81 per cent win rate. Against our fiercest rivals from across the Tasman, that was 49 outings for 35 wins. In the four major tournaments she led Australia in, the Diamonds were world championship gold medallists and runners up on the other two occasions, both times by less than a goal. She also coached seven winning Constellation Cup teams in a row against our Kiwi foes. We've also stayed the No. 1 ranked team in the world while Lisa has been at the helm. It was always entertaining to watch her sticking it to the boys on the Offsiders couch on a Sunday morning. It is an enviable record. I want to thank her for her stewardship of the Diamonds and thank her for her service to our country.