GENDER NOT ON AGENDA

THE chief criticism of Ante Milicic’s appointment as coach of the Matildas has been his lack of experience in women’s football.

On this point, some of Australia’s best coaches are in unison. Yes, there are differences but, no, it shouldn’t matter if the coach is good enough.

“At the end of the day, it’s about your experience and ability to coach athletes that counts,” said Lisa Alexander, coach of the Australian netball team.

Alexander has taken the Diamonds to world championships glory and the world No.1 ranking. She was echoed by Ric Charlesworth, Australia’s elder statesman at crossing gender lines as a coach.

Charlesworth led both the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras to two World Cup titles each during a career that included back-to-back Olympic gold medals with the women.

“It’s over-exaggerated that there’s some kind of differ- ence,” he said. “I treated them as hockey players ... as individuals, fairly, whether they’re male or female. They both worked just as hard. Both were just as ambitious.

“In fact, women were better team players than the men. They were not as egocentric. In some ways it was a better environment in which to work because they were more willing to work for the team.”

Tim Walsh led Australia’s rugby sevens women to inaugural Olympic gold in 2016 and is now in charge of the equivalent men’s team.

“One cliche I’ve heard is women need to feel good to play well and the men needed to win to feel good. That certainly rang true in the team that won the gold medal,” Walsh said.

“With the girls, the detail and the technicality behind your coaching is really tested. Minds are more forensic. I found that a real asset to (my growth as a coach) as you have to really justify your stuff.”