Netball: New head coach for Waikato Bay of Plenty

IN CHARGE: New Waikato Bay of Plenty Beko team head coach Mary-Jane Araroa. PHOTO: FILE

Netball Waikato Bay of Plenty (NWBOP) have appointed Mary-Jane Araroa as head coach of the 2018 Waikato Bay of Plenty Beko team.

Araroa takes on the role following Rebecca Greenhalgh's decision to step back before the birth of her second child in January.

Araroa is the New Zealand Secondary Schools coach and was assistant coach for the world champion New Zealand Fast 5 team that won the 2016 Tournament in Melbourne last year.

Araroa grew up in Te Teko before moving to Auckland where she gained representative honours for Auckland, North Harbour and the Northern Force. She made the New Zealand A Squad in 1994 and went on to play for the Silver Ferns from 1996-1997.

Araroa then started her coaching career and has achieved significant success with teams including the New Zealand Maori, Aotearoa Maori Secondary Schools and Bay of Plenty Regional Gold teams, as well winning the national U23 title with the Waikato BOP team two years in a row.

Araroa is excited about the challenge ahead.

"It is a privilege to be part of Netball Waikato Bay of Plenty performance programme and I'm excited for the opportunity this brings.

"The Beko League is a competition that allows players to develop at an elite level and I hope to be a positive influence as head coach of the programme, developing better and stronger athletes who underpin the values and vision of our zone," she said.