Netball coach surprised by oath honour
NETBALL: Australia coach Lisa Alexander first thought she was in trouble when contacted by Commonwealth Games organisers last week.
But worry quickly transformed into a wonderful surprise and an overwhelming honour when she was asked to read the Coaches’ Oath at tonight’s opening ceremony.
The Diamonds mentor has guided the Australian side to both Commonwealth Games glory (Glasgow 2014) and World Cup success (Sydney 2015) and has her side primed to win the nation’s fourth gold in six Commonwealth Games.
But netball took a brief back seat yesterday when she had to attend a rehearsal for the opening ceremony.
Alexander said it was a great thrill for the sport of netball that she had been asked to be a part of the official proceedings in a similar vein to when thenDiamonds captain Sharelle McMahon was flagbearer at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
“I was really overcome when they rang me about it,” Alexander said. “I was in Mooloolaba at our training camp and thinking, ‘Oh God, have we done something wrong?’.”
Alexander (pictured) said the Coaches’ Oath was a good reminder of what the Games are all about.
“It’s usually something around the integrity of the Games and the way that we coach needs to be done in a way that’s respectful of the rules of sport,” she said.
The Diamonds begin their pool matches against Northern Ireland tomorrow.
I WAS REALLY OVERCOME WHEN THEY RANG ME ABOUT IT.
LISA ALEXANDER