New Zealand's world champion netballers are celebrating news that their inspirational coach will stay on a little longer, after their World Cup triumph last month.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern hosted the Silver Ferns at Parliament on Monday afternoon - the first time the team has been back together, since their 52-51 upset of Australia in Liverpool.
The occasion was also the first time they had reunited since coach Noeline Taurua - uncontracted past the world tournament - confirmed she would stay on until at least after the Northern Quad series in England next January.
That announcement came last week and retiring veteran Casey Kopua was obviously relieved at Taurua's extension.
"I think it's hugely important," said Kopua. "She's a mother of five, so she wouldn't have taken that decision lightly.
"For her to be part of [the Silver Ferns programme] and keep moving it forward will make a big difference to the girls."
Taurua, 51, replaced Janine Southby as head coach last year, after a disastrous Commonwealth Games campaign that saw them out of the medals for the first time, finish fourth.
She immediately summoned Kopua and Laura Langman back from exile to lead the side, while implementing a tough training regime to improve player fitness.
Kopua, who has spent holiday time with her family since the World Cup, was adamant she would not reconsider her decision to retire.
"The girls are talking about 'yo-yos' and fitness testing and everything that's coming up," the defender chuckled. "In my heart and my stomach, I know I made the right decision."
But shooter Ameliaranne Ekenasio is looking forward to continuing under Taurua's tutelege.
"'Noels' is in a league of her own and we're so grateful that she's back on board," said Ekenasio. "That's so key for us, because we believe in her and she believes in us as well - it goes both ways.
"We're pretty, pretty happy she's back on."
Taurua made it clear that unfit players would have no place in her squad and Kopua reflected how that policy paid dividends in the final.
"For a couple of weeks leading up to that, I don't think I'd had anything harder. Definitely, after that England semi-final, 'Mels' and I were roommates... we just flopped onto our beds and said, 'how can we do this again tomorrow?', because we were absolutely shattered.
"But the sun came up and we had to go again."
Taurua is currently coaching the Sunshine Coast Lightning towards their third straight Australian Super Netball title.
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