Former Steel boss Broughton takes control at UK club

NETBALL: Former Southern Steel netball coach Robyn Broughton has a new role as head coach and director of netball at the Hertfordshire Mavericks in the UK Superleague.

According to the Mavericks website, Broughton has been named their first director of netball starting on August 1.

She has taken over as head coach following the departure of Sam Bird after a two-year stint which included a grand final appearance in 2015 as part of twotop-four.

The former top-level New Zealand coach, who started coaching the seven-time National Bank Cup championship winning Southern Sting netball team in 1998, returns after a season as assistant coach for the Mavericks in the UK Netball Superleague.

She also brings national experience to the squad after coaching the Silver Ferns to Fastnet victory in England in 2010.

Broughton is enthusiastic about her appointment.

‘‘I am grateful to Mavericks for selecting me for this new role and after having experience of the supportive environment in the franchise last year, I am now keen to continue this involvement,’’ she said. ‘‘There is a pool of talented players and I am confident we can work towards success in the Superleague.’’

The rest of the new Mavericks coaching team will be announced in the coming weeks.