Netball: Morrin looks to move up notch

Adrienne Morrin

Counties Manukau coach Adrienne Morrin thinks God gave her two sons so she couldn't torment them with netball. A few minutes talking to her and you can see what she means. You would be hard pressed to find a more enthusiastic supporter of the game.

"Netball is pretty much all I do," she says. "That and my family. I have two boys, I think God did that to me on purpose so I couldn't torment any girls," she laughs.

Morrin is in her second year as coach - not exactly one of the most sought-after jobs in the country. Through no fault of their own, Counties barely feature on the netball radar, a situation which wasn't helped when the Counties Manukau Cometz were axed from the National Bank Cup in 2003.

"We try to remain positive about that," Morrin says.

"We want to continue to develop our own players ... and hope some of our own players go on into franchise teams."

With her positive personality and passion, Morrin could be the one to revive the ailing region.

One of four children, Morrin grew up in Hawera. Her father is former Maori All Black skipper Lance Hohaia and her cousin is Warriors centre Lance Hohaia.

Morrin played first for Hawkes Bay and then Auckland, where the arrival of her two sons meant the end of her playing career, though she has been with Papatoetoe Rangers for the past 20 years, coaching the club's premier side for the past five. She also coaches Pakuranga College and was recently appointed assistant coach of New Zealand Secondary Schools team.

If that is not enough, she works for Netball New Zealand in coaching development.

It's no wonder her sons Lance, 16, and John, 13, enjoy a round of golf or two.

"The relationships and developing the players is something I enjoy tremendously.

"I have developed a lot of friendships in the sport. It has opened some doors for me that would otherwise have not opened."

Counties were wooden spooners in last year's first grade competition.

"We would like to be off the bottom and two or three further up the pecking order.

"We have worked hard to instill a regional pride in the girls and that is a strength of the team," Morrin says.

Small changes, like setting a fitness standard players have to achieve before they can even trial for Counties teams, are making a difference.

"It will take time though," Morrin acknowledges.

And what of the future? "I was assistant coach to the Diamonds in 2005 with Sue Hawkins and really enjoyed it.

"But I have got my hands full enough right now."


The coach

Adrienne Morrin
Lives: Papatoetoe
Occupation: Works for Netball New Zealand in coaching development.
Coaching highlights:
2005/06: Counties Manukau NPC 1 team.
2006: New Zealand secondary schools team assistant coach.
2006: Pakuranga College coach
2005: Auckland Waitakere Diamonds assistant coach
2000-05: Counties Manukau under-21 coach
1986-2006: Papatoetoe Rangers club


The squad

Jean Waaka, Temira Hetherington, Merilyn Nordin, Sarah Everitt, Ingrid Malifa, Megan Lindsay, Italia Tipelu, Hannah Middleton, Megan Paverd, Caroline Kellett Ashleigh Timoko, Rebecca Kent.