Netball: Ferns surprise for top Southern coach

By SUZANNE McFADDEN

Invercargill school teacher Robyn Broughton was heading into the bush when she got a shock invitation to help to coach the Silver Ferns.

Broughton accepted the role as assistant coach to Yvonne Willering, who retained the No 1 New Zealand netball job after a challenge from former Ferns team-mate Georgina Salter.

The surprise phone call came to Broughton on Saturday night, as she was packing for a four-day tramp through the Reece Valley near Queenstown. She walked out of the bush yesterday just as the news became public.

Willering had made it clear in an extensive interview with a selection panel that she wanted someone to help her if she kept the job. The notion came to her after New Zealand's heartbreaking one-goal loss to Australia in the world championship final.

Willering's immediate suggestion to the panel was Broughton.

"The whole thing came as a shock - I had to make a big decision very quickly," Broughton said.

"I said I'd ring back on Wednesday - but they told me they couldn't wait that long.

"I never thought about it while I was tramping - I was just worrying how we would get out in the pouring rain. Now I'll start thinking netball."

Broughton, a physed teacher at Berdon College in Invercargill, rose to national prominence as coach of the Southern Sting who won the Coca-Cola Cup this year. She also coached the New Zealand A team, who helped the Silver Ferns build to up to the world championships.

"Yvonne and I have worked together then, so that wasn't a problem. I just hope I can do the job," she said.

Netball New Zealand chief executive Shelley McMeeken said the panel had listened to Willering's suggestion and after consideration, acted on it.

"We were reviewing the whole structure. The role of New Zealand coach has just got too big," she said.

While Willering spoke of achieving quality team performances and new perspectives, Broughton said she simply wanted to "be there for the players."

"I just want to be part of the communication thing. We should be all getting on.

"And I want to help Yvonne. It's been a long tough year, and it will be good for her to get back into it."

Willering admitted that she had struggled with the world championships loss. "It's been a pretty hard time. It was difficult having them at home ... all of us were under so much pressure.

"I thought hard about whether I wanted to do the job again. But I see this as the start of a new chapter.

"I have unfinished business, on and off the court. From a coaching perspective you can never stop learning."