By JULIE ASH
Triumphant Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken laughs long and loud when she thinks about what her home town, Paeroa, has in store for her.
Following the Silver Ferns' success at the world championships, Paeroa has chosen to expand its netball courts and, as a tribute to Aitken, will
paint a larger-than-life mural of its favourite coach alongside.
"It is very flattering," Aitken laughs. "But I hope they know about air-brushing."
Since her team's 49-47 win over Australia at the world championships nearly a month ago, Aitken's feet have barely touched the ground.
She returned to New Zealand straight after the win in Jamaica and was part of celebratory parades in Auckland and Paeroa.
As for speaking engagements, Aitken has enough to last her through to the next world championships.
"The interest in the team is phenomenal," she said.
"Let's just say my public speaking skills are only going to get better."
After just a week at home, Aitken was back on a plane bound for the United States with her husband, Grant, and their two children, Michael and Jamie, to observe women's soccer and basketball teams as part of her Prime Minister's scholarship.
She was in the US for just over two weeks and spent time with the Phoenix Mercury women's NBA team - whose assistant coach is Tall Ferns coach Carrie Graf - the Los Angeles Sparks and the San Diego Spirit women's pro soccer league team.
"Their seasons finish soon, so there was only a small window of opportunity to go," Aitken said.
"It was really good to watch other coaches in action and see how the teams practised on game days, how intense their training was, and what they did in terms of recovery.
"I was also able to sit in on team talks, which was good because a lot, especially in basketball, was transferable to netball."
Aitken's contract as Silver Ferns coach runs out in December. She has yet to confirm whether she will reapply.
"I love it and my family have been very supportive," she said.
"But I haven't set a timeline to sit down with Netball New Zealand and discuss the way forward.
"However, it is more than likely that I would like to continue on."
Before then, at the end of the national provincial championships, which start on September 6 with preliminary games, Aitken will select a New Zealand squad.
"It is about to start all over again."
By JULIE ASH
Triumphant Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken laughs long and loud when she thinks about what her home town, Paeroa, has in store for her.
Following the Silver Ferns' success at the world championships, Paeroa has chosen to expand its netball courts and, as a tribute to Aitken, will
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