Lois Muir: (Tough) love of the game

Lois Muir

It seems just like yesterday I began coaching - and did I get the team to suit my experience - the Otago senior reserve B team.

I remember we went on a little day trip to Balclutha and I really was quite obnoxious.

I stood on the sideline and yelled at the players and umpires.

I'd retired from playing a few months earlier and had to get rid of the feeling of wanting to get on court and show them how it was done.

I'd made a pact with myself that once I retired I would never set foot on court again. I knew I wasn't doing the same level of training and would have to resort to other methods to play well and I didn't want to go down that side of the hill. When people don't do the training they get cunning and a bit devious.

So I went home and thought about how awful I was.

That's when I started my system of "the book".

I got an exercise book and wrote everything down - what I was going to do at the next training session and what I'd say at quarter and half-times.

After that I was fine, I had a focus and a way of empowering the players.

The only downfall was when I got excited I used to roll the book up and use it to slap the players sitting on the bench - it got to the stage where no one would sit next to me.

What made me a bit different as a coach was I had played basketball for New Zealand and was coached by men who had a no-nonsense approach. In netball there was a lot of, "You are doing well, dear."

As women you have only got so long at the top and you want to get better - the way to do that is to be told what is needed to get better. I took that philosophy from basketball and that is why I was a bit tougher on my players. I always asked them to give more.

I remember one of my first tours - it was the New Zealand under-24 team to Australia. I banned the lift and made the players run up the stairs. It nearly killed them and their legs almost dropped off. My reputation went before me after this.

As a coach it is important to remember that every player is different. Some players you can really have a go at. Others you can't. The coach must find the best learning style for each player.

I have been reminded of how (former New Zealand defender) Waimarama Taumaunu was not playing well in one New Zealand game so I told her she was like a stale bottle of beer. You know, flat, absolutely flat.

It sparked her imagination and that was better than telling her she wasn't playing well.

As to what makes a good coach? A coach is the master of "tweak". Every player comes with skills - the key is tweaking what they have to make the team work as a unit.

I guess overall I am quite a boring coach because I believe the basics done well succeed. In sport you are only as good as your basic skills because under stress that is what you go back to.

I know I am very demanding on players - some athletes think they are playing their best but they never are and can always give more.

But I do understand people have a life as well as sport -if you are a person at peace with yourself you are a better performer.

The game has changed dramatically since I first set out in my long black stockings, gym frock, long-sleeve white blouse and tie.

Back then the game was nine-a-side - three people were confined to each third of the court - and the defence were not allowed to guard shots. It wasn't until 1959 that New Zealand adopted the seven-a-side game, which allowed us to compete internationally.

I first made the New Zealand netball side in 1960. The 1963 world championships were the first we attended and finished second to Australia, losing the final by one goal.

Those Aussies have followed us all our lives. The tournament was the first that allowed shots to be guarded. As a defender I loved it.

The game has got more exciting but as a coach my philosophy is we can always do better.

I still believe the skills of the game must win. What is worrying me and umpires a little bit is that the rules are being pushed to the limit. What I have found in one or two games this year is that there was some negative and aggressive play.

In the 1979 world championships I had a similar feeling. There were two or three countries that were fairly devious. I said to myself, if this continues do I want to remain involved in this game? Then I thought we have to show them that skills win, so I was driven to being successful playing an open, skilful game. You want equal competition for the ball but you don't want the aggression to be over the top.

There is a lot of depth in netball at the moment but I have concerns about the New Zealand team.

As the Silver Ferns coach, I believe you need to be able to look each player on the bench in the eye and be confident they can run on against Australia.

I worry we have one or two there at the moment that are not quite ready to do that. I also worry when players get into the New Zealand team because they are playing alongside a good player. Take the good player out and can that player stand up against Australia and be counted? If so they deserve to be there - if not they don't.

I really admire the Australian teams because the players on their bench always want to get out there and would just about kick their team-mates in the ankles to get on. If you have a team like that you have a strong team with a desire and the belief to win.

Internationally the game is at an interesting stage but we need to improve the standard of the pool of umpires and to assist coaches to lift the game. We also have to promote it more in America and Europe.

I never look back too much.

I knew in Glasgow after we'd won the 1987 world championships that I was going to retire.

I saw a glimmer of the work ahead to put another team out and I knew I shouldn't be there. That was similar to how I felt with the Rebels.

I am addicted to netball, I was addicted to the New Zealand team - it just swallowed up my life but I enjoyed every minute and the 15 years just flew by.

I hate to give these players up but I know I have to - it is time to stand down.

Memories are a marvellous thing and I have plenty.

Lois Muir's career highlights

1950-1962: New Zealand basketball representative.

1960-1964: New Zealand netball side.

1973-1988: New Zealand netball coach.

1979, 1987: Coached NZ to World Championship wins

2001-2005: Otago Rebels coach.

Fond memories

* Winning the world championships in 1979 and 1987. New Zealand finished alongside Australia and Trinidad and Tobago in a three-way tie in 1979 and won the title outright in 1987.

* The 1987 team. No team got within 10 points of them.

* Seeing a number of players Muir has coached over the years still involved in netball. People like Yvonne Willering, Ruth Aitken, Leigh Gibbs, Waimarama Taumaunu and Lyn Gunson.