Former Australian netball coach Lisa Alexander said she was told she needed “more experience” to be considered for the AFL head coach position in North Melbourne after applying for the role.
Important points:
- Alexander said North Melbourne did not give her an interview after applying
- Her contract as Diamonds coach was not renewed earlier this year
- Alexander trained the Diamonds for their 2015 World Cup success and the 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medal
Alexander, whose Diamonds contract was not renewed after nine years of service in 2020, applied for the Kangaroos position created by the recent departure of Rhyce Shaw.
Despite their high profile credentials, Alexander didn’t have a formal elite involvement in AFL that the kangaroos had been looking for in a senior trainer.
She said the club didn’t give her an interview, but they did provide feedback on her application.
“It was a thank you, but no, thank you,” said Alexander.
Alexander, who was responsible for the diamonds in 102 tests with a success rate of 81 percent, said she was trying to work as an assistant coach at an AFL club.
She said she might also consider applying as a coach to become the first coach on an AFL team.
Alexander was told in March that her Diamonds contract would not be renewed as the 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medal and the 2019 netball world cup title did not contribute to that decision.
She said she hasn’t quite turned her back on netball and the Queensland Firebirds and Collingwood Magpies have not yet named their coaches for the 2021 season.
After the Australian World Cup victory in 2011, Alexander Norma Plummer took over as Diamonds trainer.
She helped the Diamonds defend their world title on home soil in 2015 and coached them to gold medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games a year earlier.
AAP
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