KEY POINTS:
Yvonne Willering
Q. The Force have finished third three years of the past four (and runners-up to the Sting in 2003). How heavy is the pressure to win in this final season?
A. We don't want to be branded as "the team that almost was". We
aren't aiming for that.
The last few seasons we haven't reached our full potential, when I know we can. We've finished third three years in a row, and so there is pressure for us to do better, because there isn't a next year.
Q. What's been the highlight of being involved with the Force?
A. I've enjoyed the professionalism - the competition has been a step up from provincial netball. I like the time you get to spend with the players; this time we've been together since November. It means you can see players develop as individuals and as a team, and you go through the highs and lows together.
Q. How good has this season been?
A. It's been stressful. I'm a person who, like most coaches, likes to live for today, for what's happening now. But I have enjoyed it, and it's sad this team isn't going to be together again. I can answer it better once we see the final results. That's what you're judged on at the end of the day. I enjoy coaching, otherwise I wouldn't still be there, but you've got to have the icing on the cake, really.
Q. What lies ahead for you? Do you want to coach in next year's Tasman Trophy?
A. Once this is finished, the focus has to go on next year's competition. Right now I'm only thinking about winning this. I'm interested in going for the position - remember, netball is my occupation. There are overseas opportunities for me, and I'm helping coach a few different teams before the world championships.
Q. You invited Robyn Broughton to be your Silver Ferns assistant in 2000. What is she like to work with?
A. I enjoyed working with her - we had a good working relationship. She's a good person off the court as well. We have pretty similar philosophies and a passion for netball - obviously her passion is tremendous. I valued her opinion, and it wasn't like she was after my job, so I felt very comfortable working with her. But remember, friendships with the opposition go out the door when you're on court.
Career highlights
Born: The Hague, the Netherlands
* Played 60 tests for New Zealand over 10 years
* Silver Ferns coach 1997-2001
* Force coach 2003-07
* Officer of Order of New Zealand, 2002, for services to netball
* Also works in real estate
NBC record
2003 Force, 2nd
2004 Force, 3rd
2005 Force, 3rd
2006 Force, 3rd
* National Bank Cup Semifinals
Tonight: Force v Sting, Invercargill, 7.30pm (live TV One).
Sunday: Diamonds v Magic, Rotorua, 1pm (live TV One).
***
Robyn Broughton
Q. You've won the title six times in nine years. How tough has this season been?
A. We've had a great season but sometimes I think, "are we really there, or aren't we?" It's been a challenge because the games have been harder and tougher - nothing's been predictable.
Q. What's been your highlight in the past decade?
A. I've been thinking about which of the titles between was the best, and none was better than the others. I just get joy from seeing these girls play. I often say to them, "Do you mind if I sit back and watch as a spectator this week, and not say anything to you during the game, so I can just enjoy it for once?" They've never said yes.
Q. Daneka Wipiiti says you are like a mother to the Sting players. Do you feel like a surrogate mum?
A. They shouldn't think of me as a mother - I'm pretty hard on them with my words!
Q. The Sting culture in Southland is unparalleled. Could you have done it without that support?
A. Who'd have known that it would mushroom into this? I don't know why it has. The difference here is our crowds; a lot of senior people - men who stop you in the street and know as much about netball as women. Donna would do anything for the Sting, and Adine [Wilson] is intensely loyal. We've kept a nucleus and built on it. It's quite sad that it's the end of an era. We will change our name, change our colours, and lose a little of our identity.
Q. What will you do after this?
A. I'll definitely look at the Tasman Trophy - I just need more clarification about the coaching job. I'm still teaching [phys ed at Verdon College], and working for Netball NZ. I would never consider coaching the Silver Ferns now. I think my chance has gone.
Q. You were Yvonne's assistant for the Silver Ferns. What was she like to work with?
A. I learned a lot from her. She's a very good tactician, very good on "D" [defence]. She has a good sense of humour, we had a lot of laughs, and I have great respect for her. I felt really sorry when she was dropped as Silver Ferns coach. It was hard for her to come back after that, but I admire what she's done. We still keep in touch - we have lots of things in common in netball. It's a good friendship to have.
Career highlights
Born: Lower Hutt
* Captained Otago in her university days
* Southern Sting coach 1998-2007
* Winning coach six times
* New Zealand A coach and Silver Ferns assistant 2000-01
* Member NZ Order of Merit, 2004, services to netball and the community
* Phys ed teacher at Verdon College, Invercargill
NBC Record
1998 Sting, 2nd
1999 Sting, 1st
2000 Sting, 1st
2001 Sting, 1st
2002 Sting, 1st
2003 Sting, 1st
2004 Sting, 1st
2005 Sting, 2nd
2006 Sting, 2nd
