Netball: Where the many Kiwis have taken flight

By JULIE ASH

There will be no shortage of New Zealanders at the world championships in Jamaica.

And not all of them are members of the Silver Ferns.

There are eight New Zealanders involved in coaching other international teams - four of whom are former Silver Ferns.

Raewyn Henry, wife of Blues' technical adviser Graham, is the coach of Wales, Yvonne Willering has helped to coach Fiji, Rita Fatialofa is the coach of Samoa, Georgina Salter is the Cook Island's technical adviser, Tania Karauria is the coach of Niue, Lyn Gunson and Waimarama Taumaunu are the coach and assistant coach of England, and Hong Kong are coached by Grace Solomon, formerly of the Hawkes Bay.

"I think it is quite good in that the expertise is being spread around," Henry said. "I believe we are fortunate to have people such as Yvonne, Lyn and Wai coaching.

"It would be nice to see the game become a lot stronger globally so people aren't just talking about New Zealand, Australia, England and Jamaica all the time. So hopefully, people like that will make it happen."

Fatialofa said that for many former players it was a natural progression to go into coaching and because there was only one Silver Ferns job, it was inevitable they would go elsewhere.

"I think New Zealand is a good breeding ground for coaches.

"People in New Zealand are quite passionate about the game and it is good that women carry on after their playing days are over ... putting something back into the sport."

Ranked 24th in the world, the Hong Kong team are loaded with New Zealanders.

Along with Solomon the team include former Aucklanders Holly Cormack and Kiri Edwards, and former New Zealand squash player and Thames Valley resident Sally Disher.

The side are managed by former Aucklander Patrick Ah Kuoi, while the vice- president of the Hong Kong Netball Association is former Wellingtonian Neil Cormick.

"I guess we are everywhere," Cormack said.

Gunson, a former New Zealand player and coach, has been in charge of the English side for the past nine months and has no qualms about coming up against New Zealand, which England will do on Wednesday.

"From my perspective, coaching a group of people who are working extremely hard to try to do the best for their country ... I have a lot of respect for that."

Also attending the event are New Zealand umpires Colleen Bond, Justine Bourne, David Palaamo, Bobbi Reid, Paul Sciascia and Bronwyn Speir.