Sport:Australian named Fiji netball coach for second time

Transcript

Experienced Australian mentor Julie Hoornweg has been appointed Fiji netball coach for the second time, albeit on a short-term deal.

The national body advertised for a new Pearls coach in December, after receiving funding from the Fiji National Sports Commission to hire a full-time coach from overseas.

Julie Hoornweg previously coached Fiji in the late 1990s and also had a stint in charge of the England team.

She told Vinnie Wylie the chance to return was impossible to resist.

JULIE HOORNWEG: Unfortunately just for a short term but it will be great to go back and I think there is one of the players left in the team [from] when I was coaching, although she was just coming up, she was in the development squad. [A chance to] renew a friendship there but wonderful country, wonderful athletes so it will be fantastic to get back in there.

VINNIE WYLIE: Obviously you've coached them before - what attracted you to go for it again? The new funding meant that they could hire somebody with a bit of a profile from overseas and you've come out with the job - what attracted you to the role again?

JH: I've lived there for three years and know the country, know the culture, know the people. I fell in love with it when I was there, my family moved with me and we had a wonderful time and the children still talk about Fiji and some of the wonderful things they did when they were quite young. I've followed their progress over the years and have a really close connection with [former Fiji and New Zealand coach] Yvonne Willering and she went in after me so I've been watching them closely and when I saw that they needed some help I put my hand up. Unfortunately it's only short-term, I can't stay permanently but I if I can help them qualify for the Worlds that will be fantastic.

VW: You're on deck next month for Tri Series Plus One and then the Pacific Series, which doubles as the World Qualifiers - is the idea to take them through to that World Champs or just to get them qualified?

JH: Just at this stage get them qualified since I have family commitments here [in Australia] and can't commit the time that would be needed to netball these days. I've worked at the top level for very many years but I now have an aging mother and my children are getting older so I have commitments here with my family.

VW: And obviously you've got a pretty experienced, busy CV in terms of international and domestics with ANZ Championship, with the Commonwealth Bank Trophy and [coaching] Fiji and England back in the day. What differences do you find from the international to having a club or a franchise?

JH: It's just the extra step up in skill and pressure.  Just the absolute joy in representing your country is amazing, putting on your country's uniform, but in terms of the netball it's just you come up against, as athletic as Fiji are and as skilled as they are, you come up against the likes of Australia, New Zealand and England and you just take netball to a new level.  It's just giving them some insights into some of the things that I have learnt along the way and hopefully develop their skills and make them more competitive at the top level.