Netball: Taurua to join Northern Mystics

Noeline Taurua

Former Kia Magic coach Noeline Taurua will join the coaching staff at the Northern Mystics next year.

Taurua coached the Magic to an ANZ Championship title in 2012, which remains the only title won by a New Zealand team in the tough trans-Tasman competition.

Taurua will assist head coach Deb Fuller at the Mystics in 2015. In a dual role, she'll also lead the coach development programme in the Northern Zone, which takes in Auckland and Northland.

Mystics chief executive Julie Paterson said the organisation was thrilled to have a coach of Taurua's experience and calibre on board.

"The value that she will add having been through six ANZ Championship campaigns will be enormous."

During Taurua's tenure at the Magic, from 2008 to 2013, the team made three grand finals and reached the semifinals every year.

"We are also delighted that Noeline has committed to our organisation for two years, not just at the high performance level, but also to establish and run a comprehensive coach development programme throughout our zone," says Paterson.

The appointment comes after Fuller approached her long-time friend and former team-mate to work alongside her at the Auckland-based Mystics.

And for Taurua, who is studying towards a Masters of Science in Performance Coaching with the University of Stirling in Scotland, the timing was "just right".

She has been working with the New Zealand Sports Academy, running its netball programme in Rotorua this year.

"I'm excited," she said of her new roles for 2015. She also said she likes the look of the Mystics for next season.

She said she was also looking forward to working alongside her old friend Fuller.

"We go back a long way. I think it's a fantastic combination."

Fuller agreed.

"We have a shared understanding of how we approach and respect the game," Fuller said.

Taurua has a strong connection with the athletes and the Northern zone, she was born in Papakura, grew up in Albany and is of Ngapuhi and Ngati Whatua descent.

During her time at the Magic, Taurua was based in Rotorua for many years.