The extension not only reflects Netball Australia’s confidence in Alexander to deliver success at next year’s World Cup in Liverpool and beyond, but it makes Alexander Australia's longest consecutively serving Samsung Diamonds Head Coach, having held the role since 2011.
The appointment allows the Samsung Diamonds to focus on getting the best possible performance in Liverpool but to also plan for the next performance cycle and the lead up to the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Netball Australia’s Executive General Manager of Sport Andrew Collins says the organisation has a great history in backing successful coaches and that there is belief in Alexander to continue to build on a great winning culture.
"Lisa has been a key driver in evolving the professionalism and standards of the Diamonds and we have great confidence in Lisa's ability to be innovative, to make change and to challenge herself and the team to be better every day,” he said.
“She wants the best for the Diamonds and cares about the team and the athletes – she has a vision for what the Diamonds program can become and has the energy and passion to make that a reality.”
Alexander's tenure as national coach has been extended until the end of 2020 with an option to extend until after the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Alexander is honoured to become Australia’s longest-serving Diamonds head coach and looks forward to what the next two years and beyond will bring.
“I am thrilled to be offered an extension to my current contract – it is heartening to know that I have the support of Netball Australia to continue with the Samsung Diamonds on our journey to be the world's best high performance program,” she said.
“It’s an exciting time for the Diamonds in having recently undergone a generational shift – we have a new and evolved squad and an enormous amount of talent coming through the Netball Australia pathways, the future is very promising.”
Previous Samsung Australian Diamonds coaches who have served long-term consecutive tenures:
- Lisa Alexander – 10 years from 2011 to 2020
- Jill McIntosh – nine years from 1995 to 2003
- Norma Plummer – eight years from 2004 to 2011
The Samsung Diamonds are now on tour for the 2018 Quad Series and Constellation Cup taking place across Australia and New Zealand over the next five weeks. Click here to access the full fixtures.
