Netball NZ: Where to from here?

JENNIE Wyllie admits the Silver Ferns have disappointed their fans with a Commonwealth Games result that was ’’not good enough’’.

The Netball New Zealand chief executive yesterday announced the organisation would undergo a review into the team’s fourthplace finish on the Gold Coast.

While Wyllie remained tightlipped about the specifics, the review would look at the campaign in its entirety, as well as the preparation for it.

What she did admit was that the team had not performed well enough.

The review would investigate why that was and allow changes to be made to ensure it improved.

She said that was important, particularly given the public reaction to the campaign, which she felt was justified.

‘‘I acknowledge our fans and the level of discussion that is being held around netball,’’ Wyllie said.

‘‘We are a very proud netball nation and coming fourth is not good enough for our Silver Ferns.

‘‘So that level of public debate is warranted.

‘‘That’s where this review comes into play and us ensuring that we look at every element so that we can put a plan in place to move forward and improve that result.’’

The review would be carried out by an independent expert — who she could not name — and would be complete by early to mid June.

Wyllie said that was a relatively quick timeframe as far as professional sports reviews go.

It would examine all parties, including the team’s players, coaches and management, as well as the highperformance

systems operating in the country.

A lot of debate has revolved around coach Janine Southby, who has a 51% winning record with the team.

Many have suggested she should be replaced, although Wyllie did not give much away when asked about the issue.

‘‘I think it’s important that we all understand the review is so crucial to what we do . . .

There is not one person or event that led us to this result.’’

The breakup of the transtasman competition has also been discussed widely as a reason for the team’s poor showings.

Having played in a domestic league separate to Australia last year, it has been suggested that New Zealand’s players were not battlehardened as they had been previously.

Wyllie said it was important not to rush to that conclusion, particularly given it was Netball Australia which had driven the split.

‘‘I think in terms of the split in the transtasman [competition] we have only had one year. It’s in its infancy, the ANZ Premiership.

‘‘There was no way we could have continued in the previous iteration of that transtasman competition.

‘‘So our priority when moving to a wholly New Zealandbased

competition was to invest in our pathways and our coaches and our officials and all that wraps around those competitions.’’

She also said the Beko League, which is entering its third season and acts as a feeder competition to the ANZ Premiership, was important for the future.