Justin Langer: Reflecting on legacies of two high-profile sport leaders Trevor Nisbett and Christina Matthews

I was once told: “There is no stability without solidarity, and no solidarity without stability. And it’s no coincidence that stability brings success, and success brings stability.” In both my personal and professional lives, the security of stability has been invaluable. My family and friendship group has provided me with a foundation for a grounded life. Equally, I have seen the benefits of stable environments through my career. Two examples of this have been through my involvement with the West Coast Eagles Football Club and the WA Cricket Association. Led by a lion and a lioness, it is no surprise that both have enjoyed wonderful successes under their watchful eyes. Coincidentally, in the past few weeks, these two high-profile sports administrators have called an end to their careers. Trevor Nisbett and Christina Matthews are icons as sports administrators. And they are also two people I have been fortunate to work closely with over the past decade. Both will leave their respective clubs/associations with their heads held high; recognised as incredible leaders who have left indelible marks on the games they love. Obviously, I have heard some of the criticisms that have been aimed their way. West Coast is a club where fans expect constant success, so missing the finals for the last three years means Trevor Nisbett has been an easy target. And rumblings every so often at the WACA have seen Christina Matthews in the spotlight. In saying that, scrutiny is part of the job, especially when you’re in a public role. It comes with the territory. But what I am about to say is not blind loyalty — as I know may be suggested — but rather an account of my experiences with them. My favourite athlete, Muhammad Ali, once said: “The fight is won or lost far away from the witnesses, behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.” In other words, it is often the work that others don’t see, that distinguishes the best performers. These words ring true in the sporting world. We see an athlete in action through our television screens, or at the venue, and we marvel at their excellence. What we don’t see is the blood, sweat, tears, frustrations and failures that make up the final product. In sports, people are judged week-by-week on a win-by-win basis. This judgment falls on athletes, coaches, boards and — in this case — chief executives. Win, you are a winner, lose and you’re not. We all know that’s not how life really works, but in the sporting world the results are there for all to see. My experience is that there is so much more to what we see on the surface. Hence my belief in the Muhammad Ali sentiment. It’s what we DON’T see that distinguishes the great performers and leaders. When I was offered a role on the board of the West Coast Eagles Football Club I was struck by the professionalism of the organisation. The attention-to-detail from the initial invitation, the process of acceptance, induction, and day-to-day machinations has been elite. From day one, it was obvious that the leadership of the club, led by Nisbett was clear, precise and strong. I once asked club great Shannon Hurn what it was about Nisbett that made him such a successful leader. Without blinking, the premiership captain told me: “Niz tells us the truth. He doesn’t mess around; he just tells us how it is. You can’t ask for anything more than that.” You would need to go a long way to find someone to tell you a different story. Straight and strong, but with as much care for his people and club as anyone I have met. With this care comes loyalty. Some critics may argue loyalty is a weakness in business. I believe the opposite. With loyalty comes stability, and a family atmosphere, that makes being a part of the club a pleasure. That said, the departing chief executive doesn’t suffer fools and is steadfast in making strong decisions for his club. The best leaders make good decisions and over the course of his long journey in the hot seat, he has made more good ones than bad. His experience and decision-making are one of the reasons the West Coast Eagles has such a rich history of success. This, and his resilience and ability to absorb pressure, makes him as AFL administrator who will be recognised in the history books. He has weathered his storms — what leader hasn’t. But as the best athletes are judged by their performances and longevity, Nisbett retires as a Hall of Famer. One of his last decisions came to fruition this week. The announcement of Daisy Pearce as the head coach of the West Coast Eagles AFLW team is monumental. In a similar breath, the first time I formally met Matthews was when I was invited to her office at the WACA. WA cricket was in turmoil. Head coach Lachlan Stevens had resigned, along with the captain Marcus North. The light at the end of the tunnel seemed dim. She was firm in her views and, by the time I walked out of her office, I knew exactly where I stood with her. Hurn’s words come to mind. Matthews told me the truth. She didn’t mess around, she just told me how it was. I couldn’t ask for anything more than that. The next day she called me and requested to visit me at my home. This time she was sitting in my office. In that meeting I noticed a distinct change in her demeanour. She was friendly, warm, clear, and her optimism was infectious. In that meeting I was offered the role as head coach of WA and the Perth Scorchers. From the moment I accepted the position we became a team, and I have admired her ever since. Matthews’ passion for the game of cricket is obvious. In my first WACA board meeting she had taken my recommendations for improving our cricket resourcing to the board. All of them were ticked off and we were able to build a foundation that is still bearing fruit today. Her focus on rebuilding WA cricket was energising, and it is no wonder WA has been the leader in Australian cricket for the past 10 years. There has been no person I know who is more fervently committed to the women’s game than Christina Matthews. She is a pioneer. Few can be labelled as such. It is through leaders like her that women’s cricket in Australian is indomitable. Unsurprisingly, within the walls of the WACA she is much loved for her openness to embrace everyone. Having faced numerous barriers through her own life, she leads this with authenticity and strength. She has always been proud of her success on gender diversity. Many talk about it, she has consistently acted upon it. She exudes genuine care for her people, and she is strong in what she believes in — as many of those who have negotiated with her have found out. In my first year coaching WA, she came to me with a team sponsorship opportunity with Healthway. The theme was “Alcohol, Think Again”. Considering some of the long-standing traditions of cricket, this on the surface seemed a risk. Matthews was strong in her pitch to me, that if we were to improve the culture of our environment then we should walk the talk. She was so convincing that the decision was a no-brainer. As with all successful sponsorship partnerships, the arrangement not only allowed us to set a tone of expectation, but the financial gain increased our opportunity to professionalise our set up. It turned out to be a win-win outcome. Looking back, without the initial risk and courage of our leader, things may have turned out differently. On the surface, Christina Matthews and Trevor Nisbett can be tough, and at times prickly. Most leaders who have any success need to flex their muscles at times. But underneath this public surface, I have seen two people who truly care about their game, their people, and their organisations. Their records are undeniable. This is no fluke. No one works harder. In both cases, WA sport has been fortunate to have enjoyed the spoils of strong leadership from these two passionate chief executives. Both leave big shoes to fill.