Avoca resident former Australian Diamonds head coach Lisa Alexander has received a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to netball at the elite level.
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From 2011-20, Alexander oversaw 102 games as head coach of the Diamonds, 83 of which her team won.
Her honours during that time include one Commonwealth Games gold medal and two World Cup gold medals.
Alexander said the latter of these World Cup victories was particularly satisfying.
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"Coaching Australia to victory at the 2015 World Cup, which was our home world cup, was definitely a standout moment," she said.
"When I took over the job I knew that was going to be one of the main achievements we would be aiming for."
Under Alexander's reign, the Diamonds helped elevate the sport's profile in Australia.
Alexander said she had witnessed the netball's status increase exponentially during her time as a coach.
"When I started coaching I don't think we were even on ABC in those days," she said.
"I was part of the first National League in 1997 and that was on ABC, it was probably one of the only women's sports on television as well as the WNBL."
Alexander's appointment as head coach of the national team in itself changed perceptions.
Alexander was a surprise appointment to many due to her lack of national team experience as a player.
She said she has been aware this presented her an opportunity to change people's mindsets.
"I always knew that I would be a role model for lots of people in coaching, that you can get to the top without playing there first," she said.
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"I started my coaching career at Leongatha in country Victoria, so you can get there.
"You have to take your opportunities and will have your failures along the way, but it's a terrific profession to be involved with."
Alexander's legacy also continues in the Diamonds' ethos, as she sought to encourage excellence beyond the court.
"We really wanted to be known as really top notch at what we did, as well as being very connected to our communities," she said.
Alexander was let go from the role as Australia's head coach in early 2020.
Given her exceptional record, Alexander could have been bitter about the decision. But she is instead enjoying life at her new residence in Avoca.
"I really, really love the town," she said.
"The other day somebody asked how we were settling in, and I said, "well we really settled in very quickly, we only moved here last March but we've had really welcoming supportive neighbours and we've enjoyed the change."
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