Netball: Ferns' new tactician a believer in basics

Janine Southby says there was a strong sense of community in her farming upbringing which shows through in her dealings with people. Picture / Jason Oxenham

Janine Southby’s appointment as the new Silver Ferns coach caught netball observers by surprise. Southby, the Southern Steel coach since 2012, has burst to the top from her still-budding professional career as coach of the southern franchise. The 46-year-old former provincial mid-courter and teacher, who guided the under-21s to the world title two years ago, chats to Chris Rattue.

There were no leaks about your appointment ... did you have to keep a lid on the news?

Yes, for a week. Only my husband and my lawyer knew. I kept it from the kids and mum and dad. I didn't want them under pressure to tell lies - it was hard enough for me. There were a whole lot of reasons for the delay ... (including) respect for the Ferns finishing the Constellation Cup, and trying to fit it around the All Blacks coming back.

What is your coaching mantra?

Developing a strong team environment by working with players on and off the court. I'm a huge believer in being able to execute the basics really well under pressure, which then allows you to add that bit of difference, the flair and unpredictability New Zealand is known for. But players must have belief in themselves.

Why have the Aussies got it over New Zealand?

They are physically tough on you the whole time and that can wear players down. They are quite patterned and I think you can break those patterns down. But we don't have to match fire with fire. What Wai (Taumaunu) and the team have proved, particularly in the past six months, is that we should continue to work on attack, our ball movement, be unpredictable and have different options.

You played and coached under the legendary Lois Muir ... what is the key thing you learnt from her?

Doing the basics really well. She had a lot of great sayings. One of her sayings? Everyone has a little box of tricks and it's important to dust it off, open it up and keep reinventing them so that you don't become too predictable. When she retired, we gave her a framed photo of all her sayings.

If you weren't a professional coach...

I'd like to be a farmer, actually. I grew up in a country area, Henley, just south of Dunedin Airport. When you grow up in the country, you make do with what is around you. Mum and dad didn't know where we were half the time. It was carefree with a strong sense of community and I guess that comes through in how I like to operate with people.

Is there something you would love to change in netball?

There is a lot of feedback that there is too much whistle, the game is too stop-start. There's a responsibility on players and coaches to change that. There are no consequences for repeat offending ... players need to be sent off for repeat offences, even if it is only for a couple of goals.

Your family...

I'm married to Roger, who came off a farm. He lectures in sports management at Otago Polytechnic. We have two girls ... Grace who is nearly 12 and Ella who is 10.

Childhood hero?

Margaret Forsyth (former Silver Fern). I loved the way she played - lots of movement, pretty slick with her skills. I just spent six days with her at the World Cup as part of a high performance group mentored by Leigh Gibbs. Marg and I worked and roomed together. Our assignment was to prepare as if we were coaching Jamaica. I've had a wee bit to do with her previously but I did tell her this time how I had looked up to her. We laughed about it.

Are you superstitious?

Not any more, but I used to do dumb things as a player ... had to wear the right socks, the right knickers. At university, I would bike to the courts and I had to make sure I never put my feet on the ground. I did carry it into my coaching career a bit ... like I had to get a green light on the way to the game, which is not very safe. You learn those things have no correlation to how you perform. My job is to get the players prepared the best I can.

The Steel cut your sister-in-law Jodi Brown, the Silver Fern shooter, last year. Was that a tough situation?

Very challenging. Unexpected things unfold in any field where you deal closely with other people. I guess I've moved on but it wasn't an easy time for anyone involved. When you are related to someone and working together, sometimes it doesn't work. We worked really hard through that time to keep our personal and professional lives separate.

Coaching is very stressful...

One bit of advice Lois certainly gave is that players don't need to see you sitting on the sideline having a hernia because that can panic them. I've learnt to look calm and maintain a sense of clarity. I've just gone through a process with Netball New Zealand engaging with different people for different reasons. One was (New Zealand cricket coach) Mike Hesson around the ability to remain calm under pressure and deal with stress. Sometimes I have to put the coaching book over my mouth so I can swear.

Other mentors?

Yes, I have a strong mentor network but I won't say who they are. Through the (New Zealand) coaching accelerator programme, I've been exposed to some interesting and amazing presenters and schools of thought. I do a lot of reading, from trashy novels to unwind, to things around leadership. I've just downloaded one called The First 90 Days about starting a new role.

Coaching is a carefully constructed occupation these days...

There is a science to coaching and also an art in knowing what to say and when to say it. Sometimes you get it absolutely right, and other times you completely stuff it up.