The Performance Mindset

STEP 4CHAMPION YOUR LEADERSHIP

Leadership in sport is often underrated. Many athletes are placed in roles of captains, vice‐captains or leadership groups without satisfactory support or leadership development. Leadership is far more than captaincy. The impact of effective athlete leadership is significant in many ways including assisting athletes to navigate their own path, as well as impacting other athletes and people around them in both personal and performance spheres.

Diamonds: leadership by example

Liz Watson was appointed captain of the Australian Diamonds netball team in September 2021 at the age of 27. It was an honour that came with responsibility that she embraced. ‘The appointment came from both the coaches and the squad,’ she explained when I interviewed her shortly after she took on the role. ‘I take confidence from that. It drives me to want to lead well for them.’

Having been in netball development and leadership roles before, Liz sees her leadership as having grown across her journey as an athlete. ‘My leadership has definitely advanced as my game has and as I have physically developed from gym work. The more you work on your leadership each year, the better you get at it,’ she said. ‘A blessing for me was the early years with the Vixens. Even when not a leader I still had different roles and responsibilities, and that helped me become a leader. You don't even know it's happening. Simple things, like taking the warm‐up of a training session. When you first ...