Netball: Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua extends stay with Netball NZ

  • 20/08/2019

Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua will remain with the side for - at the very least - their next two international campaigns.

Netball NZ has announced Taurua will guide the world champions in their Constellation Cup series against Australia Diamonds in October, along with the Northern Quad Series in England in late January.

Following that, she'll take time off to contemplate her next steps.

Taurua has also confirmed that she'll part ways with Australia's Sunshine Coast Lightning at the conclusion of their 2019 campaign.

She's currently leading the franchise in its quest to win three consecutive Super Netball League titles, but has opted not to re-sign beyond her three-year deal, which ends this year. She intends to remain with the club in an advisor and mentor role.

Last month, the 51-year-old steered the Silver Ferns to their first World Cup victory in 16 years, when they edged Australia in the tournament final in England.

Taurua wants to ensure the sytems she implemented for that success continue to reep rewards.

"I can't speak enough of the pride I feel for what we’ve achieved to date," she said.

"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."

Netball NZ CEO Jennie Wyllie said she was thrilled to have Taurua continue what she began when she took over the job in August 2018.

"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 team in early September for the Constellation Cup, with the first test scheduled for October 13 in Christchurch and the second in Auckland on October 16.

Newshub.