Taurua sticks with Ferns . . .
. . . but champion coach yet to decide on long-term future
Noeline Taurua is leaving the Sunshine Coast Lightning and will remain in charge of the Silver Ferns for their next two international campaigns.
Netball New Zealand confirmed yesterday that Taurua will guide the Silver Ferns as they take on the Australian Diamonds in October’s Constellation Cup, along with the Northern Quad Series in late January.
Taurua will then take time out after the Quad Series in England to contemplate her future as the Ferns players concentrate on domestic netball and don’t play again until September.
She will finish as head coach of the Lightning in Australia’s Super Netball at the end of this season. Taurua has guided the Lightning to the first two Super Netball titles and is targeting a three-peat farewell alongside Ferns skipper Laura Langman, who captains the Lightning. Assistant Kylee Byrne will take over as Lightning coach for 2020.
The gold medal performance at the Netball World Cup in Liverpool – where they beat the Australian Diamonds in the final – was New Zealand’s first title in 16 years. With Taurua at the helm, they produced a remarkable turnaround in form with the Ferns ranked fourth heading into the tournament.
Taurua said it had been an amazing journey with the Silver Ferns over the past 12 months. She wanted to ensure the systems, culture, performance and overall improvements that were gained during this time are consolidated and continue to grow and develop through to next year’s Quad Series.
‘‘It has been an absolute privilege to coach the Silver Ferns and work with such a special group of people. I need to take the time to settle back home and contemplate where the next journey will take my family and I.’’
NNZ chief executive Jennie Wyllie was thrilled to have Taurua continue in her role as head coach of the Silver Ferns.
‘‘She has shown she is one of the best in the game in what she has achieved over the past year,’’ Wyllie said. ‘‘Obviously, we’d love for Noeline to remain in the head coaching role, but that is a long-term commitment that only she can make.’’
Taurua will name a Silver Ferns squad in early September for the Constellation Cup. The first test against Australia is on October 13 at Christchurch’s Horncastle Arena before heading to Spark Arena in Auckland on October 16.