23 Dec 2019

Taurua extends Ferns contract

8:31 am on 23 December 2019

Noeline Taurua has extended her contract as the coach of the Silver Ferns.

Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua - Constellation Cup Game 2, between the NZ Silver Ferns v Australian Diamonds, held at Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand.  16 October 2019       Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz

Photo: Photosport Ltd 2019

Netball New Zealand confirmed on Monday the World Cup winning coach had re-signed through until February 2021.

Taurua led the Silver Ferns to a shock victory at the World Cup in Liverpool in July, just 11 months after taking on the job.

After recently returning home to New Zealand following three years coaching in Australia, she felt the one-year commitment was a good fit for her family.

Taurua wanted the Silver Ferns to target short term goals and stressed the importance of building year-on-year rather than focusing solely on pinnacle events.

"I want the emphasis to be on continuing momentum. It is a shift in thinking but it's that challenge that I'm really excited about," she said.

"I've been looking forward to coming home and helping to develop the next steps for the Silver Ferns."

Netball NZ Chief Executive Jennie Wyllie said it was exciting for netball in this country to have Taurua remain at the helm of the Silver Ferns for the next year.

"It was really important that we gave Noeline the space to make that decision after the massive commitment she gave to netball in New Zealand over the past two years.

"We're delighted to have secured her services - she is a world-class coach who is widely respected in this game, not just in this country but around the world."

The New Zealand team head to England next month, where they will play England, Jamaica and South Africa in the Nations Cup tournament.