Taurua’s new

Dame Noeline Taurua won’t just be wearing her Silver Ferns head coach’s hat when the ANZ Premiership returns tonight.

Taurua, who played an instrumental role in guiding the Ferns to last year’s Netball World Cup title, will lend her expertise and vast knowledge to New Zealand’s next wave of coaches. She could even feature as a makeshift assistant coach, though it won’t be in a hands-on role.

Taurua, who was crowned coach of the year at February’s Halberg Awards, will be live for most matches at the Auckland Netball Centre, venue for the next six rounds of the premiership.

Covid-19’s impact has been brutal with several teams not able to use support staff full time because of reduced budgets. Mainland Tactix have been particularly hard hit, with Netball Mainland placed in voluntary liquidation in April.

Tactix coach Marianne Delaney-Hoshek will have her assistant coach, former Silver Fern Julie Seymour, available after some initial concern about her involvement.

Premiership teams had to prioritise which key team support personnel they required (such as strength and conditioning, managers and assistants) in Auckland. All sides have vastly reduced financial capabilities.

Taurua will take a back-seat role and said she was there as a sounding board for all premiership coaches and teams. She described herself as a ‘‘supporting actress’’ for the coaches.

Don’t expect to spot Taurua in any huddles or team talks. She will operate from the secondary bench and wanted to be as unobtrusive as possible.

‘‘Definitely just a supporting person for the coaches because of what’s happened with Covid and probably the resources they have available,’’ Taurua told

‘‘I know as well I’ve got to be mindful for one week or one game I’m coaching against somebody else. I’ve got to be mindful, be very professional, and be under

‘‘I would like to think I’m a bit of a supporting actress for the head coaches.’’

Noeline Taurua

the direction of the coaches as to how they want to work.’’

Being separate from the teams during the game was important for Taurua, so players had consistency within their own environment. Having Taurua potentially involved as an assistant would be a major boost for