Taurua on fitness warpath
Dame Noeline Taurua is calling for greater alignment with fitness across New Zealand netball as the issue continues to bubble away at Silver Ferns level.
Ferns coach Taurua is struggling for numbers in the shooting and defensive ends for the fourmatch Constellation Cup series against Australia, starting on March 2 in Christchurch.
Several contenders have been ruled out after not satisfying conditioning requirements, which culminated in five players being sent home from a Ferns’ training camp last month.
Shooter Te Paea Selby-Rickit and defender Kelly Jury are ineligible for selection after failing to reach the mandatory 16.3 yoyo test standard at that camp.
The yoyo test measures an athlete’s ability to endure repeated periods of vigorous activity followed by short active breaks.
The Silver Ferns will unveil their Constellation Cup squad next Wednesday and lack shooting and defensive options.
Only three frontline defenders are set to be named (Jane Watson, Karin Burger and Sulu Fitzpatrick) due to failed fitness tests, unavailability and injuries.
It is a similar story in the shooting end where Taurua is limited for numbers because of substandard fitness.
Captain Ameliaranne
Ekenasio and Maia Wilson are the Ferns’ first-choice shooting combination. Taurua is optimistic 70-cap Bailey Mes, who has impressed at training since recovering from a patella cartilage injury which sidelined her last year, will be given the all-clear for the Constellation Cup. Monica Falkner is likely to be included too.
‘‘At the moment we’ve got amazing athletes, but I do think we’ve got gaps in our system that we need to be able to work on otherwise we’ll get to the same spot [with fitness]. It’s always the same,’’ Taurua said.
‘‘There are athletes who have been in the system for a long time and have really been stalwarts for their clubs, but aren’t budging in certain areas for whatever reason [with fitness].’’
Taurua has been in charge of the Ferns since August, 2018, and said more than two years into the role, fitness levels remained a concern across New Zealand netball.
The Ferns had made major progress since the dark days of the 2018 Commonwealth Games, where they failed to medal, and Taurua said plenty of good things were being achieved in New Zealand netball.
Positive
discussions
were happening around improving fitness and how there could be stronger alignment through the New Zealand system.
It all started at ANZ Premiership domestic level, Taurua said, which was the direct pathway for future Silver Ferns.
‘‘What is the purpose of ANZ? Is it to grow Silver Ferns, or is it to grow your franchise or your own team and to develop them? I think it’s both, to be honest.’’
Taurua coached the Sunshine Coast Lightning in Australia’s Super Netball from 2017-19, guiding them to three grand finals and two titles.
Young Australian netballers traditionally had excellent fitness standards because they were exposed to strength and conditioning earlier in their high performance environment, she said. There was also ruthless competition for spots and an unwritten expectation players would be in peak physical condition.
Taurua compared it to a builder knowing to turn up to the construction site with a hammer.
‘‘I think it goes with the environment that if you’re an elite athlete, then your tool of the trade is your body. It’s not only from a fitness perspective, but it’s also from an injury prevention perspective and a health perspective as well.’’
Some have questioned whether Taurua’s focus on fitness is too tough, but she makes no apology. The 16.3 yoyo test standard was merely a starting point and not demanding, she said.