Netball: Future clouded for Oz coach

Norma Plummer. Photo / Getty Images

No decision has yet been made on the future of Australian coach Norma Plummer.

Win or lose in Singapore, the curtain's likely to come down on at least one Australian international career: that of long-time coach Plummer.

The test coaching role will become vacant next month and, although Plummer has applied to continue, she's taken on the head coach role with the West Coast Fever in the trans-Tasman competition. Netball Australia haven't revealed whether they believe the two roles could work in tandem.

Plummer wanted to coach in Perth with the ailing Fever, who finished second to last in the 2011 competition, because she wants a more hands-on role with players.

Should this campaign be her last, the 67-year-old will leave a lasting legacy after guiding the international careers of so many of Australia's best players.

The honour board includes a gold medal at the world championship as a Diamonds player, back in 1975, and of course coaching Australia to the 2007 world crown over New Zealand.

Heart-breaking Commonwealth Games silver medals in both 2006 in Melbourne and last year in Delhi behind their arch-rivals are equally as memorable.

Plummer is tactically astute, passionate and sometimes brutally honest, according to former skipper Sharelle McMahon, who missed the Singapore championship after rupturing her Achilles tendon.

"When you're in the team, she's great on challenging the athletes on when to change the game out on court and coming up with new ideas about defence tactics and plays in attack," McMahon said. "She's always looking for new and different ways to do that.

"Norma's really quite a direct coach who will tell you what she's thinking and feeling, which is great because you know where you stand."

McMahon says she's a bit surprised Plummer, who has also coached the Australian under-21 team at the AIS and the now-defunct Melbourne Phoenix, wants to take on an even busier role - rather than putting her feet up.

But McMahon said the always immaculate coach isn't one for bowls: "I couldn't really see her playing bowls," she laughed. "Her bling would probably get in the way.

"It will be a real challenge for her in Perth ... she'll shake things up and have some great ideas for the only Australian side that hasn't achieved finals."

New Zealand coach Ruth Aitken, who became the most capped coach of the Silver Ferns at these championships, said she had enjoyed a spirited relationship with Plummer.

"We've had great battles and I'm sure it's not over yet," Aitken said. "She's an awesome competitor and we have a bit of laugh together."

- AAP