Netball: Increased physicality doesn't concern Taumaunu

Silver Ferns assistant coach Waimarama Taumaunu hasn't noticed an increase in physicality in the ANZ Championship. Photo / Getty Images

Silver Ferns assistant coach Waimarama Taumaunu is largely unconcerned at reports of increased physicality in this year's transtasman netball league.

She admits, however, she probably would not want to play the modern game herself.

Taumaunu has an impressive encyclopaedia of netball knowledge gained over many years, starting in 1981 with a successful 10-year career in the New Zealand team, including a world championship title and two years as captain.

She spent five years until 2003 as national performance director for All England Netball, and was last year named as New Zealand coach Ruth Aitken's assistant.

An uncompromising goal defence, Taumaunu was noted for quick hands, quicker feet and excellent anticipation. Her analysis of the game, both as a player and coach, has always been thoughtful and thorough.

She is unconvinced about reports of increased physicality in this year's ANZ Championship.

"I haven't noticed it as being particularly different from last year, although that's just an observation - I'm not in there amongst it," she said.

Southern Steel coach Robyn Broughton last week said she thought increased physicality in the transtasman league was coming at the expense of skill levels.

Taumaunu said there was no doubting netball was a far different game from when she played.

"Yes, it's tough - my first foray back into the international scene was an eye-opener," she said.

"It's certainly very different to what I played, but that's due to a combination of factors: better athletes, changing interpretation of the rules.

"I wouldn't want to play it myself."

Taumaunu said netball was played by more physically capable athletes, and pointed to Australian coach Norma Plummer's reading of the modern game, which identified the importance of strength and conditioning training for netballers.

Plummer has said the development of explosive, powerful athletes is a key component of Australia's programme direction.

"It's a big part of where we want to be - strong, with explosive power. In elite netball today, if you can't handle the bumps, you'll be pushed off the ball and your opponent will get the upper hand."

Taumaunu found Plummer's interpretation interesting.

"She was praising the physical nature of play, but she's actually praising the players' physical conditioning and the fact that they're so strong, they can contest in the air and they can stay balanced and maintain their feet when people are hitting them."

There was no doubt netball was a far more physical game than 20 years ago.

"In our day, we had umpires who'd penalise you for gently brushing past someone. It's a better spectacle now."

Taumaunu said umpires from different countries often had varying interpretations on whistling for contact and obstruction.

"One of the criticisms is that there's too much whistle. But if you've got a game where you absolutely die by the `it's a no contact game', then you get a lot of whistle.

"In response to a perceived demand for there to be less whistle, there has been more allowing of physical play away from the ball to happen.

"Perhaps it's time we readdressed that."

The transtasman league had underlined the advantage Australian netball had in terms of depth, she added.

"I think most New Zealanders were never aware of the depth of Australian netball compared to ours.

"But I think the New Zealand teams, although at the moment we're not looking that great, have made steps forward and I think the league will do nothing but good for us."

The Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic, with six Silver Ferns on their roster, are currently second in the 10-team competition but the remaining four New Zealand teams are mired firmly at the bottom of the table.

"We're looking better, we're looking more composed although I think we're still not quite right at running the full race yet," Taumaunu said.

"Individually, we've got players who are coping much better with the different styles, the increased need to be better physically prepared.

"We haven't seen that in the teams' results as yet, but it's a long competition, we'll wait and see how it pans out."

- NZPA