Kiwi sports icons back Dame Noeline Taurua amid netball conflict and coaching ouster

Two prominent Kiwi sports figures have publicly defended Silver Ferns head coach Dame Noeline Taurua after Netball New Zealand removed her from the upcoming Taini Jamison series against South Africa.

Former Silver Fern Laura Langman took to social media to show her support for Taurua after Netball New Zealand removed the coach due to unresolved concerns about the high-performance environment.

In a media release, NNZ says: "We have been unable to resolve issues to everyone's satisfaction in the time available before the Taini Jamison Series."

Langman, a former 165-cap Silver Fern, expressed her devastation and bewilderment in a lengthy social media post.

“As a Silver Fern centurion who played under Noeline’s guidance for most of my career, I’m devastated and bewildered by Netball New Zealand's actions,” Langman shared.

The abrupt sidelining of Taurua stunned the sporting community, but Netball New Zealand board chair Matt Whineray emphasised that the focus is now on supporting the players as they prepare for the upcoming series.

RNZ reported that the decision stemmed from a training camp in Sydney, where the Silver Ferns played four games against the New South Wales Swifts.

Following the tour, three players voiced concerns to the Players Association, representing a group of up to seven others, indicating that the team environment felt 'psychologically unsafe' and that they felt unable to speak openly or raise issues with Coach Taurua.

Former All Blacks Sevens coach Sir Gordon Tietjens told NewstalkZB that the shift from traditional to modern coaching styles may be influencing the situation, suggesting that players today might have too much say in decision-making.

Dame Noeline Taurua Coach of the Silver Ferns and Julie Seymour Assistant Coach of the Silver Ferns during the Taini Jamison Trophy. Photo/John Davidson/Photosport

“I suppose back in my day the coach was the boss and we go back to that old school saying, but now we have to appoint leadership groups… They have too much say in some ways.

“I know if I coached the All Blacks Sevens team now, I’d be up for the Players Association because I meant that was just the way that I coached, because old school you were the boss.

“And unfortunately now who does Noeline answer to, she’s got to answer to high performance people within the union, is it okay if I do this? Is it okay if I do that? That’s not right… she’s got a good feel for the game.

“It’s sad really because Noeline is such a good coach, we need her, I mean we’re not saying there aren’t other coaches coming through, but she’s a dame mate, she’s earnt the right in my view to be the boss,” Tietjens says.

Langman, who was under Taurua’s coaching for 12 years with the Magic, doubled down on players' professionalism, questioning the standard for addressing these types of issues.

“If players are unhappy with the direction the coach is taking, it’s gutless and selfish not to come forward and state what the issues are. That doesn’t reflect leadership at all.

“Where is the voice of reason? Where is the emotional intelligence to weigh up this situation? Energy is expensive. You need to choose carefully where to invest it. Right now, Noels must be questioning whether New Zealand netball is truly worthy of hers,” Langman wrote in her post.

Tietjens warns that the last-minute scramble to fill coaching roles at lunchtime on Wednesday, hours before the announcement was made, places a heavy burden on both the new staff and the players.

“To stand a coach down just only days before a test series against South Africa, I mean that’s mind-boggling really… that must be unsettling for the players, even the new coaching staff that are coming in to take on the particular role,” Tietjens says.

Yvette McCausland-Durie, who led the Central Pulse to back-to-back ANZ Premierships in 2018 and 2019, has been appointed as interim coach, joined by former Silver Fern Liana Leota, who has spent the last few years working as a technical coach with the Vitality England Roses.

The Taini Jamison Series will take place from 21-28 September. Click here for all draws and fixtures of the Silver Ferns' upcoming matches.