Liz Watson on the importance of ‘Sisters in Arms’

2016 Quad Series - Adelaide Australia v New Zealand Australian Team at Anthem Line up with NetSetGo

We spoke to Diamonds’ midcourter Liz Watson about the culture within the Diamonds and what the ‘Sisters in Arms’ trademark means to her. ‘Sisters in Arms’ was developed in consultation with Leading Teams in 2013 and has been a critical element of the team’s culture ever since.

How would you describe the culture within the group?

“We have a really strong culture in wanting to get everyone better and pushing each other, whether you are the eldest, youngest, most experienced or least experienced. Everyone is expected to do the same as each other and really push each other.

Being a younger player and one of the less-experienced, it is really nice to go into the Diamonds’ environment, whether you have played 100 test matches or your first test match, everyone is treated the same.

How were you introduced to the Diamonds’ culture?

Every camp that we have where there are new squad members that come in, or even invitees, the leaders go through our ‘Sisters in Arms’ trademark, how it came about and what it means. This is really important, because it allows the new players to make it their own and determine what it means to then.

For me, when I came into the group I heard about how the trademark came about, who was involved at the beginning and how it as evolve. This was a great way for me to make it my own and put my own interpretation on what ‘Sisters in Arms’ means.

How do the Diamonds live the ‘Sisters in Arms’ trademark on tour?

The trademark is visually represented when we are all standing on the transverse line, singing our national anthem. It’s our whole team plus the coaches and support staff that are on the bench. We have our arms around each other and we are singing the national anthem. When we go into our huddle, we put our hands in and chant 3…2…1 sisters. It’s used in our language in our day to day environment. We are there for each other, we are sisters in this; we have your ups and downs like you do with your own sisters. That’s what it reflects in the environment.

Why is a strong trademark and culture important?

It’s important firstly to get everyone on the same page and to make sure they are fully aware of what they are committing to. When I came into this environment I become one of the sisters. You have these expectations on what you are required to do for yourself and your other sisters. Having a trademark is something that everyone can go by, everyone knows what it means as a team and what it means personally for them.”