Coach row at Fever pitch
NEW Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich has found support from her Fever players and fellow coaches after a critical reaction to her appointment as head of the national side.
Marinkovich was considered a shock choice by many when revealed by Netball Australia in Brisbane at the weekend, in part because she had not played at senior level for Australia.
The 39-year-old, who was the first coach to take West Coast Fever to the finals and a grand final, beat several more experienced coaches to seal the post as Lisa Alexander’s replacement.
But the real surprise was the angst at her appointment, including from high-profile former Diamonds players.
Former Diamonds captain and Channel 9 commentator Liz Ellis said she had wanted the incoming coach to have had international playing experience.
“It was a huge surprise when we found out that it was going to be Stacey Marinkovich,” Ellis told Nine’s Sports Sunday program.
“A number of experienced coaches applied, and a lot of us thought it was going to go to Simone McInnis, the Vixens coach who is a former Diamonds great.
“I’ve been one of the people
saying I would love for the next coach to have worn a Diamonds dress after Lisa Alexander, who hadn’t represented Australia.”
Marinkovich represented Australia at under-21 level and played national league for the Queensland Firebirds, Perth Orioles and West Coast Fever but never for the Diamonds.
But Sunshine Coast Lightning coach and Australian under-21 mentor Kylee Byrne backed Marinkovich, saying the reaction to her appointment had been disappointing.
And the subdued reaction to the appointment fired up the Fever players, who rallied for a record Super Netball win over the Sunshine Coast on Sunday.
“We just wanted to back her and show her that everything she’s doing is paying off and we’re with her,” midcourter Verity Charles said.