From Silver Ferns captain to Cook Is mentor: Noovao's legacy honoured

Ana Noovao’s legacy stretches well beyond her time as a Silver Ferns captain.

The netball star, who died aged 58, is being remembered for the generations of players she helped develop in Aotearoa New Zealand, the Cook Islands and Australia.

Noovao died peacefully on 9 August in Rockhampton, Queensland, surrounded by her children, mother, siblings and wider family, according to a statement from her whānau.

“Ana was deeply loved and treasured by so many,” the family said. “Her love, laughter, kindness and beautiful memories will remain in our hearts forever.”

Former Silver Ferns teammate Margie Foster remembers Noovao as a calm and steady leader.

“Ana was one of the best roomys, she was an awesome captain, very calm and steady,” Foster wrote in her tribute. “I am devastated she has left our world early. Ana was so inspiring.”

Silver Fern Anna Noovao in action for Auckland during the netball Caltex Cup, 1992. Photo/Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

Noovao made her New Zealand debut in 1989 and became Silver Ferns captain in 1992 after Waimarama Taumaunu retired.

She was vice-captain when New Zealand faced Australia in a historic demonstration match at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland, as netball moved towards becoming a Commonwealth Games sport.

Netball New Zealand described Noovao as a “gifted attacker with natural creativity and a beautiful feed”.

But it was her work away from the international court that has become a major part of the tributes.

“Her greatest legacy may be the players she taught. Generations of South Auckland schoolgirls came through her sessions, and more recently she kept building the game in her Queensland community,” Netball New Zealand said in a social media post.

Noovao was also proud of her Cook Islands heritage and went on to represent the Cook Islands for two seasons.

She coached the national side to seventh at the 2007 World Netball Championships.

Former Cook Islands coach Catherine Kaumoana remembers Noovao as a demanding but deeply committed coach.

“She was an amazing coach, actually a task master who believed that the Kuki team and players had talent,” Kaumoana wrote in her tribute.

She says Noovao helped develop the team as they travelled through tournaments in preparation for the 2007 Netball World Cup.

Kaumoana says Noovao was also a solo mother at the time, with support from her own mother as she balanced family and netball commitments.

Noovao’s playing career included the 1991 Netball World Cup final where the Silver Ferns lost to Australia by a single goal.

But for many Cook Islanders, her influence was just as powerful off the international stage.

Miki Walters remembers the work Noovao put into young Cook Islands players.

“Forever remembered for all your training workouts and contributions for netball for our Cook Island young girls coming through the ranks, including my daughters who are in their 40s now,” Walters’ tribute read.

Tuaine Tairea says watching Noovao play for the Silver Ferns made her proud to be a Cook Islander and inspired her to pursue her own netball career as a wing attack.

Wayne Marsters says Cook Islanders growing up in New Zealand during the 1980s and 1990s were proud to have Noovao as a sporting role model.

Noovao leaves behind a legacy as an international player, captain, coach and mentor but above all, someone who helped open the way for generations of Cook Islands girls to see themselves in the game.

Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.