By the numbers
taken a hit, but Sunshine Coast-based Taurua believes the Silver Ferns brand remains powerful.
Restoring respectability starts with Taurua and the Ferns demanding high standards in training and being accountable to each other. Taurua hasn’t wasted any time making her mark, refusing to pick players who don’t meet minimal strength and conditioning targets.
A proud Kiwi, who played 34 tests for the Ferns between 1994-1999, Taurua is determined to get the side tracking in the right direction and regain the faith of Silver Ferns fans, many who voiced their displeasure at the Commonwealth Games horror show.
‘‘I’m amazed by the support we have not only in New Zealand, but also over here in Australia.
‘‘Everybody at the end in netball wants to see Australia and New Zealand in the [World Cup] final. I really do believe that. It’s synonymous with our sport and I think people are missing that trans-Tasman battle. That’s not negating all those other teams who are amazing.’’
Kiwi netball followers remained loyal with three of the four Ferns’ home matches in the Constellation Cup and Quad Series sold out and the clash against England at Auckland’s Spark Arena going close.
Wyllie says the Silver Ferns’ poor results hasn’t seen any commercial partners pull out either.
‘‘That’s one of the most incredibly heartening things. They’ve been incredibly engaged in this process and if anything we’ve got an increase in sponsorship.
‘‘People know they’re talking to 350,000 people that play netball [in New Zealand] when they talk to us and then the fans on top of that are in the millions.’’
The second stage of the review will explore NNZ’s high performance structures from the grassroots to the elite and wider aspects of the sport in New Zealand. Silver Ferns 2018: ❚ 8: Wins
❚ 13: Losses
❚ 2: Head coaches
❚ 148: Tests captain Laura Langman has played for the Silver Ferns – the most by any Kiwi netballer
❚ 5: Silver Fern debutantes to take the court (Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, Aliyah Dunn, Erikana Pedersen, Karin Burger, Elisapeta Toeava)
❚ 23: Silver Ferns to take the court
❚ 6: Losses to Australia
❚ 1: Wins against Australia
❚ 3: Losses to Jamaica
An advisory group was set up, chaired by NNZ board member Lesley Murdoch, and also includes Wyllie, former national coach and player Yvonne Willering, NNZ head of high performance Keir Hansen, former Silver Ferns captain Bernice Mene and retired Southern Steel and Sting stalwart Wendy Frew.
The chance for NNZ to open the bonnet and extensively examine the sport and systems was a rare opportunity and Wyllie stressed they had to get it right.
The World Cup is where Taurua and the Ferns will be judged. Wyllie says it’s critical they deliver on court and prove they’ve taken positive steps forward after a forgettable 2018.
‘‘That would be the ultimate, both for myself, my board, and our staff. We’ve got such a strong level of belief in this group.
‘‘I think it would mean the most to those athletes that have been there for the hard yards and that’s who I want it most for.’’