You won’t catch the Diamonds going for a cuppa
EVEN if the Diamonds exact Commonwealth Games revenge on England, deep in tea-sipping country, you will not catch a single pinky raised in toast.
And it is because Australia’s netball World Cup team watched Alex Morgan’s FIFA Women’s World Cup semifinal goal celebration and decided such a gesture did not represent what it was about.
The star US forward made global headlines last week when she scored the winner against England to send the eventual champion into the decider, and then mimicked sipping a cup of tea.
The celebration, along with her “and that’s the tea” tweet, sparked accusations she had taken a swipe at Phil Neville’s Lionesses.
Morgan was indignant at the polarising reaction, insisting it "wasn't a hit to England" but a tribute to Game of Thrones actor Sophie Turner, and adding it reflected “double standards for females in sports to feel like we have to be humble in our success”.
Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander said the debate became a talking point among her squad.
“I'm always interested in how the teams craft their tournaments, particularly how they go about their business,” Alexander said.
“It was really interesting watching the to-do between the USA and England about the scouting of the hotels, and then the cup of tea stuff.
“We were talking about that, we always talk about that in our group because it's part of us getting a common understanding of what we think is appropriate for us.
“As we said, we wouldn't do that because we're more into more of that humility side of things and not really putting it in the faces of the opposition.
“We show our respect for them in different ways.”
In terms of netball rivalries, the focus in Liverpool is well and truly on Australia against England.
Since last April when Helen Housby’s late goal denied the Diamonds Commonwealth Games gold on the Gold Coast, there has been a sentiment of big-stage vengeance brewing on their adversaries’ home soil.
Should they meet — and defeat — Tracey Neville’s Roses in the later stages of the tournament, there will be emotion.
But Alexander described the way that was portrayed as “a really fine line”.
“It's part of the players’ sisters-in-arms trademark about their behaviours off court and how important that is, and how important they are as role models to young girls and women in Australia particularly,” she said.
Alexander said the team wanted to be exceptional on and off the court and reflect true Australian character “which is don't get ahead of yourselves, stay humble but confident about what you do”.