Ferns are facing the fans’ fire

Netball New Zealand (NNZ) insist the Silver Ferns brand remains as powerful as ever, despite dismal recent results.

The under-fire Ferns touched down on the Gold Coast on Friday ahead of their Commonwealth Games campaign, which begins against Uganda on Thursday.

They arrived down on confidence and with question marks surrounding Janine Southby’s long-term future as coach, after losing twice to Jamaica within three days last weekend in their final build-up.

New Zealand, for so long the No 2 side in world netball, have won just three of their past 11 matches since October. Under Southby’s guidance, the Ferns have only won 17 of 32 matches, including two victories from 12 against Australia.

NNZ chief executive Jennie Wyllie conceded it was ‘‘absolutely tough times’’ for the side and understood the frustration and anger netball supporters were feeling.

‘‘When [fans] get passionate we know they’re engaged. We are wanting our brand to retain its position as the second most-loved sports brand in New Zealand [behind the All Blacks].

‘‘The fans are looking for us to perform and we completely understand that.’’

The fans are looking for us to perform and we completely understand that.

The Silver Ferns had a loyal group of sponsors, many who have been involved for a long time. Wyllie said they were mindful the team had lost a huge amount of experience since the 2015 World Cup, including centurions Casey Kopua, Leana de Bruin, and another veteran defender Anna Harrison.

There hadn’t been any talk of commercial partners pulling out due to the team’s struggles, or the threat of returning from the Commonwealth Games medal-less for the first time.

‘‘The integrity of our brand remains incredibly strong,’’ Wyllie said.

‘‘They understand the integrity of the Silver Ferns as athletes. They’ve also got a growing awareness of their place in supporting women’s sport in our commercial environment. We have a really strong and secure relationship with them.’’

Southby is contracted through to the end of the 2019 World Cup, but her position will come under even greater scrutiny should the Ferns’ poor performances continue at the Games.

Wyllie was reluctant to talk about Southby’s future. She said their focus was firmly on the Commonwealth Games and ensuring the players, coaches and

management had everything they needed to function effectively.

As with every Silver Ferns’ campaign, a review would be conducted after the Games, and it would be ‘‘in-depth’’ given it was a pinnacle event.

NNZ must be worried by the direction of the team under Southby.

It could be forced into the rare situation of terminating her contract early to give a potential new coach sufficient time with the team, leading into the 2019 World Cup in Liverpool, England, which is in July.

After a miserable Northern Quad Series in January, where the Silver Ferns blew a six-goal fourth-quarter lead to lose to England in extra-time, and were thumped by 19 goals against Australia, several changes were implemented.

Performance coach Trent Hotton, a former AFL rules player, was brought in for three training camps to focus on accountability on and off the court, and improve communication links between the players.

Leading former coaches Yvonne Willering and Robyn Broughton both

criticised the Silver Ferns’ culture following the humiliating Quad Series loss to Australia. Wyllie said Hotton’s introduction wasn’t a result of that.

Several former Silver Ferns and exnational coaches have also come in to provide specialist expertise at the camps.

Wai Taumaunu has helped with the defensive end. Sandra Edge has worked with the midcourt and Lyn Gunson was used as an ‘‘overall strategist’’.

Willering has also offered the Silver Ferns’ coaches a sounding board.

That support had been requested by Southby to strengthen areas of the Ferns’ game and NNZ was happy to accommodate those wishes. ‘‘All that real rich coaching talent have been more than pleased to come in and help us.’’