Silver Ferns netball coach Dame Noeline Taurua has given her support to international midcourt Sam Winders, as she eyes a switch to Sydney's Giants team in the Australian Super Netball competition.
Winders, 28, has been linked to the trans-Tasman move, after Giants lost the services of Amy Parmenter for the 2024 season, joining former Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic coach Julie Fitzgerald, and teammates Jamie-Lee Price and Jo Harten.
She played 123 games for the Magic in the ANZ Championship/Premiership from 2014-22 and fronted for Southern Steel this year, but had not committed to return.
Winders has 47 caps for New Zealand and was named 2021 Silver Ferns Player of the Year, but fell out of favour the following year, and has not pulled on the black dress for a test since the England Quad Series in January 2022.
After almost a decade at the pinnacle of NZ netball, she has reportedly been lured by a new challenge and has the blessings of her national coach, who also looked across the ditch to rekindle her career.
Initially rejected for the Ferns role, Dame Noeline took the reins of Sunshine Coast Lightning, guiding them to Super Netball championships in 2017 and 2018, before a disastrous result at the 2018 Commonwealth Games thrust her back in contention.
Among the players under her tutelage at the Lightning was NZ captain Laura Langman, who had lost eligibility to play for her country, but was eventually granted an exemption for the 2019 World Cup campaign.
"Each person goes or does certain things for personal reasons," said Dame Noeline. "I know, from myself - plus also Netball NZ - we're very open to have those discussions.
"Knowing what 'Laus' needed to do at that moment in time, she was not necessarily at the end, but she needed something to grow her game. We're very supportive of that.
"We never shut any door closed for anybody and we'll always support somebody, no matter what. If people want to go and pursue other opportunities, we'll work through the pathway.
"Hopefully, if they go, we'll welcome them back."
Faced with losing Winders to the game altogether, Taurua would rather see her change her focus.
"It's usually a personal choice, but because Sam never contracted to ANZ [Premiership], I think it's so cool," said Dame Noeline. "I really do.
"I'm really happy she's still in netball, because she's still young enough. Hopefully, once again, she'll come back."
Winders' defection may yet be a sign of things to come. Traditionally, Netball NZ has discouraged players from contracting offshore for the same reasons NZ Rugby won't select foreign-based All Blacks - the fear it will devalue our domestic competitions.
With many of the current squad due to leave New Zealand after the Rugby World Cup, new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has hinted he will lobby hard to open that door, as players in their prime, like Richie Mo'unga, Leicester Fainga'anuku and Shannon Frizzell, slip through his fingers.
Similarly, after their worst-ever fourth placing at the World Cup in South Africa, many argue Silver Ferns players need exposure to a higher level of domestic competition offered in Australia, where stars from around the world have improved their games and raised the standard of international netball.
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