NNZ backs Kiwis to lead revival
What coaching netball?
Janine Southby’s struggles with the Silver Ferns have raised concerns whether home-grown coaches are receiving enough support as they progress through the system.
There is also a worry about where future national coaches will come from in the future, with several top-level domestic coaches relatively raw at the elite level.
Netball New Zealand (NNZ) chief executive Jennie Wyllie stressed it was far from doom and gloom. She believed proactive steps had taken place since the dissolution of the trans-Tasman competition in 2016, with emerging Kiwi coaches having increased opportunities.
‘‘We have pulled the biggest move we possibly could have investing in our pathway.
‘‘That was bringing in the Beko [second tier] competition three years ago and creating another six coaching roles for Kiwi coaches [in the ANZ Premiership] and introducing a sixth team into our ANZ Premiership [the Northern Stars].
‘‘That provides not only a pathway for coaches, but also for players, officials and administrators.’’
NNZ was eager for greater interaction between its elite coaches. Last year, they got the 12 ANZ Premiership coaches (including assistants) as well as the Beko coaches and assistants together.
Several other leading New Zealand netball minds, including Wai Taumaunu, Leigh Gibbs, Noeline Taurua, Yvonne Willering, Lyn Gunson and Lois Muir were also involved, the first forum of its kind in many years.
‘‘They were all in the same room with a common purpose. How do we grow the system in terms of our coaching capability? What do we need to be doing? It creates a mentoring type of environment.’’
Former Silver Ferns coach Willering has since held sessions with all of the ANZ Premiership and Beko coaches, which Wyllie was keen to do regularly.
‘‘What we’re seeing now is they’re understanding the high performance programme of the Silver Ferns.
‘‘We’re really cognisant of their programmes within the franchise [level]. It makes the spine of netball incredibly strong.’’
NNZ has Tania Karauria as its fulltime national manager coach development, specialising in high performance. crisis in New Zealand
Wyllie was thrilled that several former Ferns were working with elite domestic sides. This includes Sandra Edge (Pulse assistant), Temepara Bailey (Stars assistant), Margaret Forsyth (Magic coach), Julie Seymour (Tactix assistant), and Mystics duo Linda Vagana and Sonya Hardcastle, who have come on board this year as specialist coaches.
Another pleasing aspect was all six domestic coaches this season were Kiwis. That hasn’t always been the case with Australians Sue Hawkins (Tactix), Julie Fitzgerald (Magic), and Julie Hoornweg (Stars) involved in past seasons.
‘‘We do know the talent is there both at that athlete level and also at that coach level. Our responsibilities as the leaders of this sport are to nurture that and to give it the opportunity to grow.’’