Taurua to get specialist coaches to assist Ferns
She might be based in Australia, but Noeline Taurua won’t leave any stone unturned with the Silver Ferns’ World Cup preparations.
With Taurua coaching the back-to-back champion Sunshine Coast Lightning in Australia’s Super Netball, which starts in late April, the Silver Ferns coach must come up with different ways to get the best out of her players, while she’s out of the country.
Taurua told yet to be confirmed specialist coaches will travel around the country and work with Silver Fern World Cup contenders during the national premiership, which begins on February 24. That will be in addition to what they do with their domestic clubs and coaches.
Ferns assistant coach Debbie Fuller will be an important link for Taurua and effectively be her eyes and ears while she is in Australia, reporting back to her how players are tracking.
Specialist coaches coming in to work with Ferns players isn’t a new thing, but again highlights the measures Taurua is taking to lift the standards across the country and create stronger depth, a glaring issue for New Zealand netball.
‘‘We’ll be working with people hands on, but also working with the franchises because some of the franchises also have specialists, so they’re very clear about what’s required,’’ Taurua said.
Taurua is a meticulous planner and even though she’ll be involved with the Lightning she will be busy balancing that with her analysis of Kiwi players and strategies for the World Cup.
She’ll be in for a hectic next few months leading into July’s World Cup with the Silver Ferns still battling for connections and fluidity through court as they look at new players and try to build an effective, winning combination.
New Zealand had patches of brilliance during the Northern Quad Series, but struggled with their consistency over four quarters and are still committing too many sloppy turnovers. Only a 62-60 double extra time victory over South Africa yesterday prevented them from going winless in the series and a possible fourth place finish for the first time.
International netball coaches only get their players together as a group for short periods of time before series or major tournaments, which meant the work the Ferns were doing at club level was paramount.
Since Taurua took over from Janine Southby in September, strength and conditioning and lifting the fitness levels of the Silver Ferns has been a huge focus.
At December’s week-long Ferns training camp in Auckland, Taurua imposed strength and conditioning targets on the players and refused to pick anyone for the Quad Series, who didn’t meet the criteria, which she said wasn’t particularly onerous.
One of the most pleasing aspects of the Northern Quad Series was their improvement around strength and conditioning. She believed it proved decisive in getting them across the line in extra time against South Africa.
Taurua was able to keep the same seven players on court for the entire game, except for when shooter Maia Wilson temporarily replaced Ameliaranne Ekenasio in the second quarter, who was forced off due to a bloodied nose.
‘‘The [strength and conditioning] target is still there and they won’t get selected until they meet that target.
‘‘I thought as well with our overall conditioning of our whole team, I feel that’s shifted positively.’’