Netball NZ confirms Dame Noeline Taurua will return as Silver Ferns coach

Netball NZ has confirmed Dame Noeline Taurua will return as head coach of the Silver Ferns. Photo / Photosport

Netball New Zealand has confirmed the reinstatement of Dame Noeline Taurua as Silver Ferns coach with immediate effect.

However, to limit disruption in the team, the current interim coaching appointments will remain in place until the conclusion of the team’s northern tour in November.

The news follows weeks of negotiations after Taurua was stood down early in September.

Netball NZ confirmed the news in a statement.

“Over the past two months, Netball NZ and Dame Noeline have been working on changes to the Silver Ferns programme and environment. Both parties share a deep commitment to athlete and staff wellbeing and to ensuring that the high-performance culture continues to evolve as necessary.”

Netball NZ said both parties had agreed to implement enhancements to support wellbeing and performance, including strengthening the voice of the players.

“These build on frameworks developed by the parties during recent discussions, with further input from High Performance Sport New Zealand and drawing from the coach and athlete welfare systems successfully employed by other leading codes

“Netball NZ acknowledges that the suspension of Dame Noeline and her coaching team was a difficult decision. The subsequent period has been a very challenging time for everyone involved, including the Silver Ferns players and management and their whānau, and for this we apologise.

“Netball NZ has full confidence in Dame Noeline’s ongoing leadership of the Silver Ferns, noting there was nothing found during the process that called her integrity into question.”

The organisation did not, however, clarify the exact issues that led to Taurua being stood down.

“While there has been public speculation on this matter, Netball NZ has a duty of care to all employees, including our players. Despite intense interest, we have not and cannot engage with commentary that breaches their right to privacy and does not reflect the full context.

“We thank athletes, coaches, staff and the wider netball community for their patience and continued commitment to the Silver Ferns.”