Former Silver Ferns assistant coach Deb Fuller has pointed to a lack of communication from Netball New Zealand as a key reason for joining Malawi.
The former elite player is the new high-performance netball consultant for the Malawi Queens, through until December’s Africa Cup.
Fuller’s contract with Netball New Zealand (NNZ) ended last year, and a process between Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua and the governing body is ongoing to determine changes to the high-performance system.
Taurua last year told the Herald she wanted Fuller on her coaching team for the Commonwealth Games.
Fuller said while she would like to continue with the Ferns, she has not had any communication with NNZ about where she stands.
“It’s uncertain what’s happening with my role with the Silver Ferns. I’m assuming, like any good practice, that it would be a contestable process for any roles when you’re coaching a national team. Like everybody else, I’m not sure of what’s happening either.
“I understand that they’re going through a process of resolution meetings. So that’s the only communication that I’ve had that they’re working through processes at the moment to find out what they need to move forward.”
While Fuller admits it has been frustrating, she said it comes with the territory of being a coach.
“When you’re a coach, you expect to be working with that level of frustration often. But the best thing about being a coach is working on the ground, shifting people through phases and seeing people extend themselves and win games. Yes, there is a frustrating part, but the actual game trumps everything else.”
When contacted for comment by the Herald, NNZ provided a statement.
“Deb Fuller is no longer contracted to Netball NZ. Netball NZ supported her in her application to undertake work with the Malawi Netball Association.
“Head of performance – Silver Ferns, Chelsea Lane is playing a key role in helping to assemble the management team that will take the Silver Ferns programme forward and is currently working through the associated timing and process."
After the reinstatement of Taurua as head coach in November, NNZ claimed it had agreed to changes to the high-performance environment.
However, when pressed for specifics, then CEO Jennie Wyllie and board chair Matt Whineray did not provide any. Wyllie resigned in December and has since been replaced by Jane Patterson, who will run NNZ in an interim capacity until the end of the Commonwealth Games.
Patterson assured Malawi there is no conflict of interest in Fuller joining the Queens.
Fuller is adamant she has not been pushed out of the Silver Ferns.
“I can see why punters would think that, but that’s not the case.”
Fuller said Taurua has been supportive of her taking up the opportunity to help another nation.
“She obviously wants her same team to be supporting her. But again, you need certainty in this game, so you need to understand where you’re at with people. There’s a lot of uncertainty around what’s happening. So you’ve just got to go and find opportunities and create opportunities for yourself when your opportunities are limited.”'
While she has not closed the door on rejoining the Ferns, Fuller said it is unlikely she will return while acting as a consultant for Malawi.
“The capacity for me to do both roles would be challenged now that I’m working with Malawi in the coach consulting role. At this stage, my focus is on getting to Malawi, looking at how I can best support them with their coaches. They’ve got two games in May, so it’s really important they prepare well for that.”
Fuller said the opportunity to get involved with the Queens came about at the end of last year.
“A friend of mine from England mentioned Malawi were looking for a coach consultant to support their coaches in the Africa Cup. I was obviously not working at the time for Silver Ferns, and so said that would be something I’d be interested in.
“Malawi kept in contact and asked me to come over this year to help them with their preparation leading into the Commonwealth Games and their camps that they have in March and May.”
Fuller will join Malawi on February 22.
The veteran coach said – given she is a contractor – working in capacities external to the Silver Ferns is nothing new.
“I’ve always consulted outside of my role as the assistant coach of the Silver Ferns for other organisations like High Performance Sport New Zealand and other netball centres and organisations that I can share my coaching knowledge with. When you’re in the support staff, you do look at other roles and areas where you can share your knowledge and learn about the game.
“That’s why the attraction to Malawi was really exciting because they’re a team that I’ve always scouted as assistant coach for the Silver Ferns in international matches. They’ve always played a really strong brand of netball that’s been very clever and fast and really exciting to watch.”
Nathan Limm has been a journalist with Newstalk ZB and the NZ Herald since 2020. He covered the Netball World Cup in Cape Town in 2023, hosts The Big League Podcast and commentates rugby and netball for Gold Sport.