One of netball's greatest coaches, Lois Muir, has been dumped as Otago coach by a panel headed by one of her players.
In a shock move Nicola Jones, formerly of Dunedin, will replace Muir.
Muir will stay as Rebels coach and chairwoman of Netball Otago. Former Canterbury Flames assistant Jones will take
control of the team for the national championships.
It is, in effect, a kick in the teeth for the respected Muir, who has devoted the latter part of her career to the resurrection of Otago netball, both on the court and in the office.
Although the national championships are now a poor cousin to the high-profile National Bank Cup, in which the Rebels compete, the removal of Muir from the Otago job will raise eyebrows.
The panel that interviewed Muir and subsequently gave her the boot consisted of Otago captain and Netball Otago board member Camille O'Connor, Netball Otago board member David Robinson, Otago Hockey Association chief executive Neil Greene and Triathlon New Zealand vice-president Annemarie Jutel.
O'Connor, as the Netball Otago member responsible for the high-performance programme, was allowed to hand-pick the panel.
However, O'Connor took part in the interview process only and left the final decision to the other three members of the panel.
Muir played down the significance of her axing.
"I'm not upset. It doesn't worry me at all," she said. "I think the panel saw an opportunity to bring in a younger person and they've found someone with some good skills in Nicola."
Muir, 68, said the Rebels remained her priority. "I've always applied for [the Otago job] simply because I'm here and I want to make sure we have all the bases covered."
Muir admitted she was concerned that only one of the three people who made the final decision was involved in the sport. "It's difficult when you've got plans for the future and there are people there who aren't really involved."
Muir was also not contacted directly by the panel. She read of her removal in a newsletter sent to the Netball Otago office.
- NZPA
