Ruth Aitken. Photo / Richard Robinson
Netball New Zealand has shown its faith in Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken by re-appointing her for a four-year term.
After a review the NNZ Board said yesterday it was confident Aitken was the best coach to take the Silver Ferns forward.
Aitken will need a new assistant
as Leigh Gibbs is stepping down.
NNZ chief executive Raelene Castle said the board had reviewed the team's performance over the past four years.
"We are confident that Ruth can extend the Silver Ferns' outstanding record of international success achieved since she was appointed in 2002," she said.
Aitken coached the Silver Ferns to win the 2003 world championships and the 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medal. She was named coach of the year at the 2003 Halberg Awards and was a finalist for the same award in 2005 and 2006.
The Silver Ferns were runners-up to Australia at last year's world championships in Auckland.
Under Aitken, the Silver Ferns have won 56 of their 68 tests for an 82 per cent winning record.
Aitken was pleased with the extension of her contract.
"I am very proud to accept the appointment and look forward to working to regain the No 1 world ranking and retain our Commonwealth Games gold medal," Aitken said.
Former national captain Gibbs decided to stand down after six years as assistant to focus on her full time position as coach development manager with NNZ.
She will continue to have a key role in the high performance and game development programmes.
"Working with Aitken and the Silver Ferns has given me some of the most memorable experiences in netball and I'm now excited about helping other coaches make the most of their development opportunities," Gibbs said.
Gibbs is the only New Zealander to win world netball titles as a player (1979), captain (1987) and assistant coach (2003).
Castle lauded Gibbs' achievements, saying she had made a magnificent contribution.
"We are delighted that her skills and experience will continue to work with high performance and game development.
A new assistant coach will be appointed in the coming weeks.
