Netball: Former Fern Foster joins Magic's coaching staff

Marg Foster. Photo / Getty Images

Marg Foster has been appointed assistant coach to Noeline Taurua at Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic for next year's ANZ Championship.

A former Silver Fern, Foster was assistant coach at the Southern Steel in 2009 and was head coach at the Canterbury Flames during the National Bank Cup.

"I have always wanted to come back into elite coaching and the opportunity to be able to work with someone like Noeline, who I have known for many a year, is something I am greatly looking forward to," Foster said.

This is the first time Magic has opened up the assistant coach's role with Taurua feeling the time was right to bring fresh thinking to the group.

"I was looking for a certain fit and mix of skills relative to the new playing group," Taurua said. "The 2011 draw will require all players to take the court ... no ifs, no buts, no bench sitters."

With that school of thought uppermost in her mind, Taurua was looking for a senior coach to help share the load and a candidate who had the experience of coaching at that level.

"I have the confidence that Marg, in her own right, can go and coach selected players, challenge them and develop them to an agreed standard with little supervision."

Foster will commute to trainings and matches from her home base in Christchurch.

- NZPA