Former Australian Netball supercoach Lisa Alexander has had her bid to become the coach of North Melbourne rejected as she dreams to be the first ever female coach of an AFL team.
Alexander applied for the vacant Kangaroos position with an illustrious CV as world champion and Commonwealth Games gold medal winner with the Diamonds, but has had her application knocked back.
Despite no experience within the football system, Alexander backed her mentoring experience and understanding to push for a position in the AFL.
Speaking to The Age, Alexander said she wouldn't expect an interview, but believes she capable to take on the task as a senior coach.
“I don’t expect to get interviewed but I will be disappointed if I am not because I think it’s time people understood you don’t have to be a horse to ride a horse so to speak,” she said.
“We have had female teachers in boys only schools and vice-versa for how long? People think that women are competent enough to coach netball because it’s been happening for a long time.
“And then why didn’t we argue against guys coaching netball? Because that would be discrimination. I think I can do it. I really do.”
Unfortunately, Alexander's bid was knocked back by the Kangaroos.
“It was a thanks but no thanks,” Alexander told AAP on Monday afternoon.
“I was told I need to get more experience.”
Alexander has now stated she will look to gain experience before potentially moving into a senior coaching role, with her next step hoping to land an assistant or director's role.
Alexander said she had no interest in coaching an AFLW side, believing her experience was above the competition's level.
“People ask me about AFLW. I don’t think I’m suited for that kind of coaching, because it’s much more at a development level,” she told The Guardian.
“I don’t say that with any sort of malice… for the longevity of the competition it needs development coaches who can lift the skill levels… It’s happening quickly but that’s not my skill set.
“I’ve always thought I could add to the defensive knowledge because while they have embraced the cluster, I think a lot of the one-on-one contests and the coaching of that fine art of the defence in those contests.
“Also in the midfield the way the stoppages work, the different setups in our play are similar.
“In the attacking structure I’m seeing teams like Richmond now starting to look at that creation of space first and then driving to the attacking space.”
Alexander added that her experience in the Netball world would help with a smooth transition into football.
“People always say to me, ‘Oh, you should start at the bottom and work your way up’,” she said.
“Well, would you say that to the CEO of BHP? If they went across to Macquarie Bank, would they have to go to the bottom of the pile there? I mean, it’s absurd.
“But that’s the sort of argument I have to put together for people who don’t understand.”
