Grace Nweke Advocates for Dame Noeline Taurua’s Return

Silver Ferns shooter Grace Nweke has reiterated her support for coach Dame Noeline Taurua, calling for her return to the team ahead of the upcoming Constellation Cup. Nweke expressed her sentiments during a post-match interview following the Taini Jamison series finale last month, emphasizing the team’s desire for Taurua to rejoin them. She stated, “Noels if you’re listening, we love you and we miss you and we want you back here.”

Dame Noeline Taurua was stood down just ten days before the first test against South Africa, following reports that several players raised concerns regarding an unsafe environment within the high-performance setup. The decision has sparked significant debate within the netball community, with many former players, including Laura Langman, publicly opposing it.

Despite ongoing negotiations, both Taurua and her assistant coaches will remain sidelined for the rest of 2025. The Silver Ferns have appointed Yvette McCausland-Durie, who recently came out of coaching retirement to lead the team during the Taini Jamison series, to continue in her role for the remainder of the year.

Nweke’s passionate plea highlights the strong bond within the Silver Ferns as they navigate this challenging period. The team’s performance will be under scrutiny as they prepare for the Constellation Cup, with fans and analysts alike eager to see how the changes in coaching staff will impact their strategy and cohesion on the court.

As the Silver Ferns approach their next fixtures, the situation surrounding Taurua’s departure remains a focal point of discussion. The ongoing support from players like Nweke demonstrates the emotional stakes involved for the athletes, who are keen to maintain a strong, united front as they face their upcoming challenges.