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'One of the most remarkable achievements': Alexander hails Silver Ferns' Commonwealth gold
Sport Nation • August 5th, 2026 3:17 pm
The Silver Ferns defeated Jamaica to claim their first Commonwealth gold since 2010 | Photo: Photosport
Former Australian Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander has labelled the Silver Ferns’ Commonwealth Games gold medal “one of the most remarkable achievements in high-performance sport”.
Speaking on Sport Nation Afternoons, Alexander admitted she expected Australia to win the tournament, especially given the uncertainty that had surrounded the Silver Ferns over the past 18 months.
Instead, Dame Noeline Taurua’s side stunned the netball world, with Alexander saying the achievement was made even sweeter by what Taurua had endured before the tournament.
Alexander spent nine years as head coach of the Australian Diamonds | Photo: Photosport
“It is one of the most remarkable achievements in high-performance sport. There’s no doubt about it,” Alexander said.
“I’m not surprised, the sort of person that Dame Noeline is.”
Alexander revealed she had written a letter of support to Taurua during the toughest period of her coaching career, saying the treatment she received had upset many in the international netball community.
“I gave as much support as I could to Noeline. She had to do the fighting though, and good on her for doing it,” she said.
“At the end of the day, New Zealand should be extremely happy that she decided to stay in the sport.
“She was going through some dark times there, and thinking people didn’t want her to do a good job. So it’s very sweet that she’s got this victory.”
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The result has also sharpened the conversation across the Tasman, with Australia left to settle for bronze and questions now being asked of the Diamonds’ direction.
“People in the know, in the netball world, know it’s an unacceptable finish and there will be some consequences,” Alexander said.
“I don’t believe Stacey Marinkovich will lose her job or anything like that, but they will review very hard and the players are going to have to step up as well.”
Alexander said the result sets up a spicy Constellation Cup, with the Silver Ferns now carrying gold medal confidence and Australia needing a response.
“It’s set it up beautifully,” she said.
“We don’t know whether the sleeping giant’s going to wake up, Australia, for this series.”
Listen to the full interview below:
