Netball: Who is Janine Southby?

Newly appointed Silver Ferns netball coach Janine Southby. Photo / Jason Oxenham.

Netball New Zealand landed a major surprise this morning with the announcement Janine Southby would head the Silver Ferns programme for the next four years.

Many observers thought the national body were lining up highly experienced Australian coach Julie Fitzgerald for the role, while for those outside the sport the first question was "who is Janine Southby"?

A career coach of 20 years, Southby has kept a relatively low profile, quietly building her CV for a job she has coveted for some time.

Here's the lowdown on the new national coach:

- Southby has coached the Southern Steel for the past three seasons in the ANZ Championship after taking over Robyn Broughton in 2012. The Steel finished third in the New Zealand conference this season.

- Her biggest success came in 2013 when she led the New Zealand under-21 side to a surprise victory at the World Youth Cup in Glasgow, where the New Zealand team toppled the highly touted Australian line-up.

- Southby also led the Fast5 Ferns from 2013-2014, winning the world title in both years.

- A former Otago Rebels player, Southby served as assistant coach to Dame Lois Muir at the franchise in 2005, before taking on the head coach role from in 2006-2007.

- Along with Dame Lois, she has received mentoring from Lyn Gunson, Leigh Gibbs and outgoing Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu.

- Silver Ferns shooter Jodi Brown, who announced her retirement following New Zealand's 11-goal win over Australia in Friday night's final Constellation Cup test, is Southby's sister-in-law. Brown is married to Southby's brother, Markham.