Liz Ellis, the Princess of Netball

THE Princess of World Netball, Liz Ellis, has set a standard for all females on and off the court through her powerful strength and leadership.

This week I'd like to give readers an insight into the life of the greatest netballer to ever play the game.

Now on the journey of starting a family, Liz says she feels "content and happy" and was more than happy to answer questions about her personal life.

Her netball achievements are outstanding. Playing for the Australian netball team from 1993-2007, including captain for four years, winning thre World Championships and two Commonwealth Games gold medals.

But personally I see Liz as a woman who has achieved beyond the sport of netball.

She is a professional. Not only a qualified solicitor, Liz has established a successful coaching business throughout Australia and has also been honoured as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for services to netball and the encouragement of women in sport and to the community through support for a range of charitable organisations.

She is royalty on the court, but off the court the well-known media personality is passionate about family, loyalty and her career, as well as her love for travel, food and wine.

Liz, how do you define luxury?

The definition of luxury for me is something that has changed over the years. When I was playing it was a 10-goal lead in the last quarter so that I could enjoy the luxury of a win! After I retired my husband Matthew and I treated ourselves to a bit of luxury - we travelled overseas and within Australia and ate at fantastic restaurants and drank really nice wines. Now I have started a family and we have moved to the country, luxury is far more simple! Eight hours sleep (in a row!), spending time with our daughter Evelyn and growing our own food are my favourite luxuries at the moment.

Which woman influences your working life?

When it comes to my working life I am lucky to have a great role model in my mum. While she didn’t have a "career", she has always enjoyed working and even in her retirement still works a couple of days a week as a volunteer driver for community transport. She takes great satisfaction from a day's good work, and as a result my sister and I both have really strong work ethics. In fact we are both mothers of a daughter each and the primary bread winners in our families, which we hope will be a good example for our girls.

You do a lot of travel with your Channel 10 commitments. So how would you spend your perfect day in Melbourne?

I love travel, so I love the fact that my job requires me to be in a different capital city most weekends. In each city I go to I have a favourite breakfast spot that serves brilliant coffee. I don't like hotel breakfasts, so I would rather go and find a little place committed to quality and spend my money with them. I also love walking (and occasionally running) so I have a favourite place in each city to exercise. In Melbourne, I generally stay in South Yarra, so breakfast is at a place called lb (pronounced "pound") on Oxford St (off Chapel). Alternatively the Post Office Cafe on Russell St or Cumulus Inc on Flinders Lane are great places to start the day in the city. If I can, I like to fit in an amble around the 'tan before exploring the shops, either on Chapel or in the city. I love grabbing a bite for lunch in one of the beautiful little laneways which typify Melbourne. For dinner I am happy eating anywhere from the European on Spring St to Rockpool at Crown or Mama Baba in South Yarra.

The qualities of your best friend?

Funny, honest generous and can shoot goals (Liz's best friend is Catharine Cox, who plays for the Australian Diamonds and West Coast Fever).

Favorite cuisine?

I don't really have a favourite. I love eating out at all different styles of restaurants, and I also love cooking at home. When I cook I tend to gravitate towards Mediterranean food as I love the fresh flavours and the simplicity of the cuisine, which allows the great flavours of the food to shine. I love nothing better than cooking a big feast for a heap of friends.

The perfect gift for your mum?

After years of trying to find the perfect gift, it turns out the one she loves the most is a granddaughter!

A day a the races, perfectly styled, with a group of close girlfriends, equipped with quality tips OR a relaxed day out on a yacht with great views of the city, food and wine?

Oooh thats tough ... but a day on a yacht sounds great!

What makes you feel like a teenager?

Hanging out with Cath Cox. We continually find new and interesting ways to be immature in each other's company.

The hardest thing is?

Leaving my baby for an overnight work trip.

Do you think there are any misconceptions about female athletes?

I think there are plenty, but I also think that the current generation of netballers are doing a brilliant job of dispelling them.

Happily married, what is your secret to a great relationship while balancing all of your working and family commitments?

We try to treat each other better than we treat anyone else. That simply means being respectful and considerate and being nicer to each other than we are to anyone else who we come into contact with.

Chocolate: white, milk or dark?

Dark. The darker the better.

When it comes to taking care of your skin, do you have products you swear by?

Skincare is my big splurge. I use Aspects Purastat cleanser and Phytostat moisuriser and I love them. I also wear sunscreen every day after a skin cancer scare earlier this year.

Do you have any must-watch TV shows?

I am a nerd. My must-watch show is the ABC News and The 7:30 Report when time permits. I also love Modern Family.

Cooking or being cooked for?

Cooking. It's how I relax.

Keeping fit and healthy while balancing motherhood with Evelyn and your career... give us a quick snap shot of your daily health routine?

I don’t really have a daily health routine as such. My first priority is to eat well - lots of fresh fruit and veggies and drink lots of water. I figure if I can do that and look after my energy levels through a good diet it's a solid foundation for my health. I play basketball once a week (poorly, but I try hard) and try to walk every second day.

What is the thing you love most about being a mother?

I am constantly surprised and amazed at how much I love being a mum. It's so hard to pick the thing I love most. It probably sounds a bit OTT but I love the overwhelming feelings of love I have for my little girl. I love that she knows she can rely on Matthew and I to look after her and I love how excited she gets when she sees me after she wakes up. No one else is ever that excited to see me.

What kind of furniture and theme do you look for in your home?

My furniture and decorating theme for my home could best be described as contemporary farmhouse. We wanted a more streamlined, modern look than the traditional country look, but we didn't want things to look too modern as we are well and truly in the country.

Do you have any hidden talents we don’t know about?

Ha, I wish! Netball, talking and cooking are pretty much it.

What is the biggest risk you have taken in your life?

Motherhood.

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This Sunday, the Vixens take on the West Coast Fever, a team stacked with stars. It will be a tough battle and a must win game for us. Make sure you tune in to Channel 10 to support us. And now when watching you will know a little bit more about the commentator and Australia's greatest netball icon, Liz Ellis.