Throughout life there are many special bonds formed. A bond between a parent and child, the bond between friends, but one of the strongest connections is that between siblings.
For the Mather sisters Lisa and Holly, they’ve had the unique opportunity to encapsulate more than 20 years of life together off the netball court, into a special connection on it, as they’ve represented the Stars in the ANZ Premiership this season.
The Mather sisters’ roots stem from the far North, somewhere they represent every time they take to the court. Growing up in the small town of Opua is where their introduction to netball began at primary school and then further developed at Kerikeri High School.
Holly says it’s a big part of their identity and they’re incredibly proud of where they’re from.
“Not many people from the far north get the opportunity to do what we have. We’re Northland girls through and through. I love going home and seeing everyone. We know that they’re all so proud of us. Hopefully we’ve shown other girls up there that they can make it as well.”
A sentiment that’s shared by Lisa.
“It’s a huge part of us and something I don’t think we’ll ever lose touch of. We’re also really grateful because there’s a lot of people who helped us get to where we are and we know we wouldn’t be the players and people we are without them.”
With a less than two-year age gap between Lisa and Holly, the pair enjoyed a quintessential sibling relationship where there was a fine balance between loving and loathing each other as they navigated their way through the adolescent phases in Northland.
“We always got along, but definitely had fights as sisters do. We’re quite different personalities as well. I’m a bit more of a hard arse than Lisa, I would definitely try and wind her up a bit, but then she’d try and do the same to me. There were points that if we spent too much time with each other then we’d get a bit prickly at each other.” Holly recalls.
“Being quite close in age, we definitely had a competitive relationship, but both enjoyed sport and we played a lot of different sports growing up which was cool.” Lisa explains.
“There’s definitely pros and cons to playing with your sister and being that close in age. We do have a really cool relationship, but at the end of the day we are sisters and you can be more honest with your family than other people.”
While the pair didn’t get to play alongside each other much growing up, the sibling rivalry was on show at the National Netball League level, when Holly played for the Marvels and Lisa represented the Comets in 2022.
Both sisters have vivid memories of the encounter, while their parents might have just been glad to hear the final whistle.
“We’re both so competitive that we both wanted to get into each other a bit. Dad was definitely excited to watch us because he knows how competitive we are and it’d be a good match up for both us. Mum was a bit nervous because she was scared we might take each other out. It was definitely a lot more competitive between us, because I wanted to beat my older sister.” Holly said.
“It’s definitely an odd one when you’re coming up against your sister in the opposite team. We obviously love each other but are ultra-competitive and want to win for our team and for ourselves. I do like to remind Holly about that game because I remember the Comets winning by quite a lot.” Lisa laughed.
The journey to get the sisters onto the same court at the highest level domestically has been far from linear. Lisa re-joined the Stars this year after a stint in England with the Saracens club, when an opportunity arose with Samon Nathan falling pregnant. Fellow midcourter Holly began the year a part of the Comets, before being promoted to training partner status and then eventually into the full-time squad after impressing with her performances.
The Mathers couldn’t have imagined they’d have the chance to share the court in the Stars dress at the ANZ Premiership level.
The special moment occurred during round 3 against the Magic at Pulman Arena, with Holly playing in the wing defence bib and Lisa at centre.
“That’s definitely going to be one of the most special games of my career. I really enjoy our connection on court because you can’t get more trustworthy than a sister and in terms of performance conversations, we’re able to have that quite quickly because we already have so much understanding and trust. Lisa said.
“She’s proud of me and I’m proud of her for even getting this far. We are from somewhere so small and you always dream of making it to the ANZ Premiership, but don’t know if it’s actually going to happen, so I think both of us are proud of where we are. We push each other, but also have each other’s backs because we’re sisters.” Holly added.
The pair have taken to the court together on multiple other occasions throughout the season and contributed to the Stars’ only win of the campaign, playing every minute of their victory over the Steel in round nine.
Both siblings may be the ultimate competitors on and off the court, but there’s still a lot of love for each other and a special 2024 has helped that bond grow stronger.
“Holly’s very gifted and skilful when it comes to sport. I would say she is very determined as well. I look at her and it’s funny because she’s the younger sister, but she can scare me at times with how strong willed she is and she really sticks to something she believes is right and it’s something I wish I could do a bit better. She always backs herself too.” Lisa said.
“Lisa is such a hard worker. She’s gone through a lot and last year was a big one being away from home. She can be caring and loving when she wants to be and obviously as sisters we’re not always nice to each other, but she’s a good sister to have and I’m happy to be her younger sister.”
