Elizabeth Watson (born 30 March 1994), commonly known as Liz Watson, is an Australia netball international. Watson was a member of the Australia teams that won the gold medals at the 2022 Commonwealth games, and at the 2023 Netball World Cup. She also won silver medals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and at the 2019 Netball World Cup. In 2018 and 2022 she received the Liz Ellis Diamond award. She captained Australia during the 2021 Constellation Cup. Since 2014, Watson has played for Melbourne Vixens, initially in the ANZ Championship and later in Suncorp Super Netball. She was a member of the Vixens' teams that won premierships in 2014 and 2020. Watson moved to the Sunshine Coast Lightning for the 2023 season.

Liz Watson
Personal information
Full name Elizabeth Bruna Watson[1]
Born (1994-03-30) 30 March 1994 (age 30)
Carlton, Victoria,[1][2][3] Australia
Height 178 cm (5 ft 10 in)[1][2][3]
School Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School
University La Trobe University
Deakin University
Relatives Steven Alessio (uncle)
Matthew Watson (brother)
Netball career
Playing position(s): C, WA
Years Club team(s) Apps
2013 City West Falcons
2013 Victorian Flames
2014–2023 Melbourne Vixens
2024– Sunshine Coast Lightning
Years National team(s) Caps
2016- Australia
Medal record
Representing  Australia
Netball World Cup
Silver medal – second place 2019 Liverpool Team
Gold medal – first place 2023 Cape Town Team
Commonwealth Games
Silver medal – second place 2018 Gold Coast Team
Gold medal – first place 2022 Birmingham Netball

Early life, family and education

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Watson is originally from Melbourne. She was born in Carlton and raised in Pascoe Vale South. She is the daughter of Manuela and Neil Watson. Her mother's family are Italian. Her two uncles, Anthony and Steven Alessio, and her older brother, Matthew Watson, are all former Australian rules footballers. She attended Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School and La Trobe University, studying health science at the latter.[1][2][4][5][6][7] As of 2022,[8] Watson is currently studying for a Bachelor of Education (Primary) at Deakin University.[9][10]

Playing career

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Netball Victoria

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Watson began playing netball seriously from the age of 12. Her mother was a netball player and Watson credits her for teaching her how to play. She subsequently went on to represent Victoria at under-12, under-15, under-17, under-19 and under-21 levels.[1][2] In 2012 she was a member of the Victoria under-19 team that won the Australian National Netball Championships.[11] In 2013 she was a member of the Victoria under-21 team that were runners-up.[12]

City West Falcons

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In 2013, Watson played for City West Falcons in the Victorian Netball League, where she was coached by Nicole Richardson. She helped Falcons win the 2013 VNL title and was named Player of the Grand Final.[1][2][12][13][14]

Victorian Flames

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In 2013, Watson also captained Victorian Flames in the Australian Netball League. She was the Flames MVP for the season, helping them finish third in the ANL.[2][12][13][15]

Melbourne Vixens

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Between 2014 and 2023, Watson had played for Melbourne Vixens, initially in the ANZ Championship and later in Suncorp Super Netball.[1][3][16] She was called up for the Vixens team after Elissa Kent had to dropout due to pregnancy.[14][15][17][18][19] Watson was a member of the Vixens' teams that won the 2014 ANZ Championship and was subsequently named Vixens' Rookie of the Year.[19][20][21] In 2017, Watson was a member of the Vixens team that finished the inaugural Suncorp Super Netball regular season as minor premiers.[22] She was also named the 2017 Young Star.[23] Between 2017 and 2020, Watson was named as the wing attack in the Suncorp Super Netball Team of the Year on four successive occasions.[24][25][26][27] In 2017 and 2018 she was also named the Vixens' MVP, winning the Sharelle McMahon Medal.[22][28][29] In 2020, Watson, alongside Kate Moloney, co-captained Vixens when they finished the season as both minor premiers and overall champions.[30][31] Watson missed the 2021 season due to a long-standing foot injury that needed surgery.[32][33][34] She successfully returned to play following her injury in the 2022 season.

Sunshine Coast Lightning

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Following the 2023 season, Watson confirmed her exit from the Melbourne Vixens, having signed a three-year deal with the Sunshine Coast Lightning. She debuted for her new club in round one of the 2024 season.

Australia

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Watson made her senior debut for Australia on 20 January 2016 during an away series against England. [4][5][35][36] Watson was a member of the Australia teams that won the silver medals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and at the 2019 Netball World Cup.[6][37] In 2018 she was awarded the Liz Ellis Diamond award and was named Australian International Player of the Year.[3][38][39] Watson captained Australia during the 2021 Constellation Cup.[40][41][42] In September 2021 she was confirmed as Australia's captain.[43] Watson was a member of the Australian teams that won gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and at the 2023 Netball World Cup.

Tournaments Place
2016 Netball Quad Series[44]  
2017 Netball Quad Series (August/September)[45][46][47]  
2018 Netball Quad Series (January)[48]  
2018 Commonwealth Games[6][49][50]  
2018 Netball Quad Series (September)[51][52]  
2019 Netball Quad Series[53]  
2019 Netball World Cup[37][54]  
2019 Constellation Cup[55][56]  
2021 Constellation Cup[40][41][42][57]  
2022 Netball Quad Series  
2022 Commonwealth Games  
2023 Netball Quad Series  
2023 Netball World Cup  
2023 Constellation Cup[58][59][60] 1st
2024 Netball Nations Cup[61][62] 1st

Honours

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Australia
Melbourne Vixens
City West Falcons
Victoria
Individual Awards
Year Award
2013[12][15] Victorian Flames Most Valuable Player
2014[19][21] Vixens' Rookie of the Year
2017[22] Sharelle McMahon Medal
2017[23] Suncorp Super Netball Young Star Award
2017[24] Suncorp Super Netball Team of the Year
2018[28] Sharelle McMahon Medal
2018[25] Suncorp Super Netball Team of the Year
2018[38][39] Liz Ellis Diamond
2018[3][38] Australian International Player of the Year
2019[26] Suncorp Super Netball Team of the Year
2020[27] Suncorp Super Netball Team of the Year
2022[63] Liz Ellis Diamond
2022[63] Suncorp Super Netball Team of the Year
2022[63] Australian International Player of the Year

Sources:[1][3][29]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Liz Watson". melbournevixens.com.au. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Liz Watson". sahof.org.au. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Liz Watson". supernetball.com.au. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Watson thrilled with netball debut". www.sbs.com.au. 22 January 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  5. ^ a b "ANZ Championship 2016: Young Vixen Liz Watson overcomes the second-year blues". www.smh.com.au. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  6. ^ a b c "Liz Watson". gc2018.com. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  7. ^ "The Diamonds' special pact". www.athletesvoice.com.au. 18 October 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  8. ^ "Deakin's Melbourne Vixens stars all set to play in the Super Netball Grand Final". Deakin Life. Deakin University. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  9. ^ "Liz Watson". www.deakin.edu.au. 3 July 2019. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  10. ^ "Diamonds star Liz Watson among winners of Deakin Sport Awards". www.deakin.edu.au. 31 October 2019. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  11. ^ "2012 Annual Report – Netball Victoria – Melbourne Vixens" (PDF). Netball Victoria. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  12. ^ a b c d "Netball Victoria – Annual Report 2013" (PDF). Netball Victoria. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 January 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  13. ^ a b "ANL: West's netball talent catches selectors' eyes". starweekly.com.au. 5 June 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  14. ^ a b "Liz Watson ready to shine for Vixens". www.smh.com.au. 20 June 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  15. ^ a b c "Teen Watson steps up to fill Vixens role as Elissa Kent announces pregnancy". www.smh.com.au. 13 February 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  16. ^ "Liz Watson". vis.org.au. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  17. ^ "Melbourne Vixens welcome four new recruits". www.smh.com.au. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  18. ^ "The rise and rise of netball tyro Liz Watson". www.smh.com.au. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  19. ^ a b c "Netball Victoria – Annual Report 2014" (PDF). vic.netball.com.au. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  20. ^ "Vixens crowned 2014 Premiers". vic.netball.com.au. 23 June 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
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  22. ^ a b c "Annual Report 2017 – Netball Victoria" (PDF). vic.netball.com.au. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  23. ^ a b "Watson named Rebel Suncorp Super Netball Young Star". supernetball.com.au. 10 June 2017. Archived from the original on 22 June 2017.
  24. ^ a b "Super Netball 2017 wrap: Highs, lows, stars, stats and moments that mattered". www.dailytelegraph.com.au. 11 July 2017. Archived from the original on 6 July 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  25. ^ a b "Suncorp Super Netball 2018 Team Of The Year". supernetball.com.au. 24 August 2018. Archived from the original on 25 August 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  26. ^ a b "2019 Suncorp Super Netball Team of the Year". supernetball.com.au. 30 November 2019. Archived from the original on 14 March 2021.
  27. ^ a b "Fowler wins third Player of the Year Award". supernetball.com.au. 16 December 2020. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021.
  28. ^ a b "Netball Victoria – 2018 Annual Report" (PDF). vic.netball.com.au. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  29. ^ a b "Sharelle McMahon Medal". melbournevixens.com.au. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  30. ^ "Moloney, Watson and Mannix to lead the Vixens in 2020". melbournevixens.com.au. 20 July 2020. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021.
  31. ^ "Netball Victoria – 2020 Annual Report" (PDF). vic.netball.com.au. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  32. ^ "Watson to miss 2021 season". melbournevixens.com.au. 30 March 2021. Archived from the original on 30 March 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  33. ^ "Liz Watson set to miss 2021 SSN season". diamonds.netball.com.au. 31 March 2021. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  34. ^ "Life after Liz". supernetball.com.au. 1 April 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  35. ^ "Liz Watson". diamonds.netball.com.au. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  36. ^ "Liz Watson". netball.com.au. 22 June 2017. Archived from the original on 22 June 2017.
  37. ^ a b "Liz Watson". www.nwc2019.co.uk. Archived from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  38. ^ a b c "Liz Watson dominates 2018 Australian Netball Awards". diamonds.netball.com.au. 1 December 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  39. ^ a b "Netball Australia – Annual Report 2018" (PDF). netball.com.au. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  40. ^ a b "Diamonds bounce back to level the series". diamonds.netball.com.au. 3 March 2021. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  41. ^ a b "Australia needs better communication over its netball captaincy, says former Diamond Sharni Norder". www.abc.net.au. 9 March 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  42. ^ a b "'Getting used to losing': Netball great fires up after eight-year low". www.foxsports.com.au. 16 March 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  43. ^ "Diamonds name 25th National Captain". diamonds.netball.com.au. 23 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  44. ^ "Diamonds shine in Netball Quad Series win over South Africa". www.theguardian.com. 27 August 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  45. ^ "Australia 54–50 England". mc.championdata.com. 26 August 2017.
  46. ^ "New Zealand 57–47 Australia". mc.championdata.com. 3 September 2017.
  47. ^ "Diamonds ready to hit Quad netball stride". www.sbs.com.au. 2 September 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  48. ^ "New Zealand vs Australia". mc.championdata.com. 28 January 2018.
  49. ^ "Liz Watson". commonwealthgames.com.au. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  50. ^ "Women Netball Commonwealth Games Golden Goast, Australia 2018". www.todor66.com. Archived from the original on 12 January 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  51. ^ "Australia 61–44 South Africa". mc.championdata.com. 15 September 2018. Archived from the original on 11 September 2020.
  52. ^ "Australia 60–55 New Zealand". mc.championdata.com. 23 September 2018.
  53. ^ "South Africa vs Australia". netball.draftcentral.com.au. 13 January 2019. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020.
  54. ^ "Samsung Diamonds 2019 Vitality Netball World Cup Team Announced". diamonds.netball.com.au. 30 May 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  55. ^ "Samsung Diamonds Constellation Cup Team Announced". diamonds.netball.com.au. 18 September 2019.
  56. ^ "New Zealand 53–52 Australia". mc.championdata.com. 13 October 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  57. ^ "Diamonds stumble in Constellation Cup opener". diamonds.netball.com.au. 2 March 2021. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  58. ^ "2023 Constellation Cup Preview: Australia". central.rookieme.com. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  59. ^ "Silver Ferns drop Constellation Cup opener". www.silverferns.co.nz. 12 October 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  60. ^ "Australia claim netball's Constellation Cup despite back-to-back defeats to New Zealand". www.theguardian.com. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  61. ^ "Diamonds romp home to 69-49 victory over England in Nations Cup netball final". www.abc.net.au. 28 January 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  62. ^ "Netball Nations Cup: Five things we learned". diamonds.netball.com.au. 31 January 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  63. ^ a b c "Watson Crowned Liz Ellis Diamond". Netball Australia. 1 December 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2022.