Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™ LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Alexander tips Super Netball staff rise

Super Netball clubs will equip themselves with more support staff, Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander predicts, as the product continues to improve.

netball

Australian national team coach Lisa Alexander is enjoying the rise of Super Netball. (AAP)

Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander expects club sides to start super-charging their support staff as netball's health in Australia reaches new heights.

Sunday's Super Netball final between West Coast Fever and Sunshine Coast Lightning is expected to break national attendance records for the sport, with more than 13,000 likely to fill Perth Arena.

In its second season, the rebranded league is clearly the world's best and will continue to grow with more international stars like New Zealand's Maria Folau set to join next season.

Alexander has been coach of the national side for eight years and says interest in the game both commercially and at grassroots has never been greater.

Looking ahead, she anticipates clubs will bolster their staff with health and wellness experts to help players adjust to the game's higher demands.

"The sport's grown so much - even more so in the last year - and for teams after high performance outcomes they need to get that right," she said.

"Just support for athletes to better manage their lives and careers ... that professional zone is the next step."

Almost all players still hold jobs or study on top of their netball commitments.

Alexander doesn't see that changing for a while yet and actually hopes it never does.

"You'd rather they aren't working out of necessity, but for their overall wellbeing and something to fall back on in case of injury, or if they lose their spot," she said.

"I know some AFL clubs, their preference is for athletes to have one day of work a week."

Alexander is backing the Sunshine Coast Lightning's resolute defence to stand firm in the face of a historic away crowd on Sunday as Noeline Taurua's side aims for back-to-back titles.

"But it could go either way, it could be a draw ... it'll be a matter of how much energy teams use on dealing the occasion and what they've got left to put into their defence," she said.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world