Dame Noeline Taurua has revealed why she’s in Australia upskilling as a coach.
The Silver Ferns guru has joined a Sydney team for two weeks as a coaching specialist, but it’s not an act of treason.
After emerging successful from the Silver Ferns coaching selection, it might seem strange that Dame Noeline is on Australian soil, dressed in New South Wales Swifts kit.
"Probably, from the outside, it doesn’t look quite right," she told Newshub. "Inside, the relationship, when I came in from day one, is warm and welcoming."
The timing can’t be coincidence, just a month after holding on to her job, she learned she was far from perfect.
"It was challenging looking at things I need to do better, Identifying gaps in my coaching style and programmes," she admitted.
That’s why she’s here.
"One of the things, as a coach, you can’t go to university," said Taurua. "It’s really valuable to learn as an individual."
That extends beyond coaching to what she saw when the Swifts recently took on Adelaide.
"Something I thought was amazing and we don’t get that level of crowd," she said.
Australia's netball competition also looks to make the game more entertaining for the crowds, like the 'Super Shot', where goals are worth two points.
Taurua believes New Zealand netball should embrace these small improvements.
"One of the things with New Zealand is how we can be more innovative, but increasing motivation on court," she said.
Two weeks on the other side of the Tasman could be all it takes to see change a dramatic change in the game and Taurua’s coaching style.
