By Renae Smyth
Whilst at the helm of the West Coast Fever, the 39-year-old led the side to their inaugural finals berth, a season where she was named Joyce Browne Coach of the Year.
Before she takes on her latest challenge in the world’s best netball team, let’s take a look at the nine things you may not know about the 15th Origin Australian Diamonds Head Coach.
She’s a Queenslander
Stacey was born in Queensland, growing up in South Brisbane – on the banks of the infamous ‘brown snake’.
She’s the oldest of four
With two sisters and a brother, there was always netball, athletics and basketball commitments on the calendar. "My parents haven't had a life for 30 years now, because they still come to all my games,” Stacey said.
She’s played her fair share of games
Stacey was a gun in her home state, playing 18 games with the Queensland Firebirds, before joining the Perth Orioles in 2002 and notching a further 90 games. She captained the West Coast side for three years, nabbed the West Coast Fever Coaches Award in 2008 and 2009, and then announced her retirement at the end of the 2009 season.
She’s a people person
Tactically, she knows the game as well as anyone. But her strength in building success is her people first, players second coaching philosophy.
In her pitch for the top job, Stacey describes herself as being a bit of a ‘life teacher’, believing if you create better people you will make better players. “To have the respect of my players, I need to engage these athletes as people first, before I can expect them to fully embrace our mission,” she said.
She’s a new mum
Stacey, and husband Lindsay, welcomed the birth of their first child, Matthew last December. He arrived safely and more than two weeks early in a surprise Christmas gift for both mum and dad.
She learned from the best
Stacey has certainly completed her apprenticeship, having served as assistant coach to veteran and former Australian Diamonds coach, Norma Plummer at the Fever from 2013 to 2015. And most recently at a national level with Julie Fitzgerald as a Specialist Centre Court Coach for the Australian Development Squad.
She knows the Diamonds well
Stacey is no stranger to a diamond, currently coaching West Coast Fever captain and Origin Diamond #172, Courtney Bruce. Stacey has also spent time leading Natalie Medhurst, Ash Brazil, April Brandley and Caitlin Bassett in past seasons of Suncorp Super Netball.
She’s already had a taste of the international game
Stacey was appointed to Head Coach of the Australian Fast5 Flyers team in 2017 where they placed 3rd in the Fast5 Netball World Series.
She watches other sports too
Keeping it local, Stacey backs the West Coast Eagles. Her favourite non-netball team. "From being over in the West and with the relationship we have with the West Coast Eagles, I'd have to say them. I love how they do things and I love going to watch them play," she said.
