Dame Noeline Taurua. File photo. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Another chapter has been written in the standoff between Dame Noeline Taurua and Netball New Zealand (NNZ), with the national body announcing the Silver Ferns coach will be sidelined for the rest of the year.
Taurua was sensationally stood down 11 days out from the Taini Jamison series against South Africa last month and her future as coach of the national side looks bleak.
A gruelling two-day meeting between NNZ and Taurua earlier this week failed to break the deadlock.
In a statement issued on Saturday afternoon, NNZ said that, despite genuine effort from the national body and Taurua, a resolution was not reached.
"NNZ has pursued every pathway with Dame Noeline to bring her back into the Silver Ferns environment at this time. NNZ is disappointed that this has not been possible."
NNZ declined to comment on the reasons for Taurua's suspension, citing legal and privacy constraints.
Dame Noeline Taurua will not coach the Ferns again until at least next year. Photo: Christiaan Kotze/C&C Photo Agency / PHOTOSPORT
Yvette McCausland-Durie, who oversaw last month's series victory over South Africa, will remain as interim coach for the Constellation Cup against Australia and the northern tour, supported by Liana Leota as assistant coach.
NNZ chief executive Jennie Wyllie said it had to lock in a coach, with the series against Australia starting 17 October.
"We don't want this process to drag on, but we do have the players about to assemble for camp for the Constellation Cup and, alongside that, we've been working through these issues at the same time," Wyllie said.
A timeline of events:
- Late January 2025
- February
- June
- July
- 4 September
- 5 September
- 10 September
- 11 September
- 21 September
- 28 September
- 30 September
- 4 October
The Silver Ferns have a nine-day training camp in Sydney, which includes games against NSW Swifts. It is understood New Zealand lost all four matches.
Following the camp, two players approached the NZ Netball Players' Association (NZNPA) on behalf of a larger group of up to seven players. Players allege the environment has become "psychologically unsafe", describing a culture in which some fear raising issues directly with the head coach.
The NZNPA formally escalate the players' concerns to NNZ chief executive Jennie Wyllie and the board.
NNZ high performance head Stephen Hotter is tasked with working alongside NNZ CEO Wyllie to manage a resolution, but after months without any decisive action, the players' association pushes for an independent review.
An independent review gets underway, with former NZ Cricket high performance boss Bryan Stronach leading it. The review highlights "significant issues" within the Silver Ferns environment.
Taurua and her assistant coaches are said to be "furious" with the findings. Taurua engages a lawyer to contest the review and the process.
After attempts at mediation fail, a crisis meeting is held on the eve of what was meant to be a four-day training camp. It involves senior NNZ officials, Taurua and her assistant coaches, representatives from High Performance Sport NZ and members of the players' association.
When attempts to break the standoff are unsuccessful, NNZ believes it has little option, but to bring in a new coaching team for the South Africa series.
The Silver Ferns squad assembles in Auckland for a four-day training camp. Behind closed doors, NNZ officials scramble to find a new coaching group.
Yvette McCausland-Durie is asked to step in as interim coach for the series. That afternoon, Netball New Zealand announces that Taurua and her coaching team are stood down for the series, pending discussions about "proposed changes" to the high-performance programme and environment.
The day after she answers the SOS, McCausland-Durie starts a four-day training camp with the Silver Ferns.
For the first time in seven years, the national side heads into a series without coach Taurua at the helm.
The Silver Ferns win the Taini Jamison trophy 3-0. In the post-match presentation, shooter Grace Nweke delivers a message to Taurua: "We love you and we miss you, and we want you back here. You deserve to be here and we want you back, Noels."
Taurua returns to the negotiation table with NNZ. After the marathon meeting lasts all day, the two parties return for a second day of talks.
NNZ issues a statement saying Taurua won't coach the Silver Ferns for the remaining two series of the year.
McCausland-Durie will stay on as interim coach for the Constellation Cup against Australia, starting on 17 October, and the northern tour in November, supported by Liana Leota as assistant coach.
The Constellation Cup series against Australia starts on 17 October in Melbourne.
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