Tiffen calls time on White Ferns coaching career
White Ferns, and had contributed strongly to the growth of the women’s game. ‘‘Haidee’s made a decision and we understand and respect that,’’ White said.
‘‘She is a talented and committed coach who leaves NZC with her head held high, and knowing she has a healthy future in the game.
‘‘Women’s international cricket has been making some rapid gains of late and Haidee has worked tirelessly in what has been an increasingly-competitive highperformance environment.
‘‘We wish her well and thank her for the integrity and passion she has brought to the role.’’
Tiffen had requested a leave of absence from the Rosebowl series in the wake of a NZC World T20 campaign review, which recommended all coaching and support staff roles be advertised at the completion of their contract periods. High performance coach Bob Carter was appointed as interim coach.
Tiffen, 39, said given the nature of the recent review it was in the team’s best interests that she did not join the team in Australia.
‘‘I just want to do what’s best for the team,’’ she said in a NZC statement.
‘‘The review was fairly confronting and challenging and I can’t really imagine being in the right frame of mind to help this side during the upcoming Rose Bowl series.
‘‘I love the players; I love the team and I love the job – but for everyone’s sake I think this is the best course of action at the moment.’’
The White Ferns failed to advance from pool play at last year’s World Twenty20 in the Caribbean amid reports about disharmony among senior players and questions over Tiffen’s leadership.
In September last year captain Suzie Bates stepped down after six years in charge of the team. On the same day she announced she was stepping down, Bates opened up on the frustrations which led to the decision. Some of those were differences with Tiffen, mainly over selection.
‘‘The selectors, not just Haidee, had a clear campaign plan on bringing youngsters through, and I was just fighting to pick our best team,’’ Bates told Radio Sport at the time.
‘‘We’d talked about that over the last 12 months, and were on the same page going into England, but my heart wasn’t in it as much as it should be. I knew I didn’t have the energy the captaincy deserved.’’
NZC knew of ongoing tension between Bates and Tiffen, but insisted the latter was the right person to keep coaching the team.
Bates handed over the reins to Amy Satterthwaite ahead of the Australian tour late last year.
At the time NZC’s head of high performance, Bryan Stronach, said news of Bates and Tiffen having their differences was no surprise.
‘‘Yes we were aware. The team was under the pump, playing England who are arguably the best team in the world and we wanted to be doing better,’’ he said.
‘‘In one way it was good, they were stressed and trying to figure out the right way forward for the team.
‘‘At times the captain and coach have differing opinions on how to get there, that’s pretty natural and happens in a lot of teams around selection and other things.’’