Silver Ferns Shooter Grace Nweke Urges Coach to Return

The future of Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua remains uncertain, but star shooter Grace Nweke has publicly expressed her support for the embattled coach. Nweke, who acted as captain during the third Test against South Africa on March 10, 2024, led the team to a nail-biting victory, edging out the Proteas 57-56 in Invercargill. This match marked a crucial moment for the Silver Ferns, as they narrowly avoided what would have been only their second loss to South Africa in history.

Netball New Zealand announced two weeks prior to the match that Taurua and her coaching staff would be temporarily stood down from the series. The organization indicated that ongoing discussions regarding changes to the high-performance program had not reached a resolution. According to reports, this situation arose following a training camp in January, where a group of players expressed concerns about Taurua’s leadership style and communication. They characterized the environment as “psychologically unsafe,” prompting an independent review that identified “significant issues” within the team.

In a heartfelt moment during the post-match presentation, Nweke seized the microphone to acknowledge Taurua’s contributions to the team. She emphasized the importance of recognizing the coach’s efforts despite the recent turmoil. “I think it’s remiss to celebrate the success without acknowledging Noeline Taurua and the work she’s done for this team,” Nweke stated to the audience in Invercargill.

The 41-Test cap Silver Fern, who debuted in 2021, has been coached by Taurua since her entry into the Silver Ferns. Nweke expressed pride in her teammates for their ability to adapt to the changes and praised the interim coaches, Yvette McCausland-Durie and Liana Leota, for their leadership during this challenging period. “We could not have done this without them,” she added.

As emotions ran high, Nweke directed a message to Taurua, saying, “Going forward Noels, if you’re listening we love you and we miss you and we want you back here.” Her heartfelt appeal underscored the deep connection between the players and their coach, reflecting the impact Taurua has had on their journey.

Netball New Zealand has expressed hope for a resolution with Taurua before the upcoming series against Australia, scheduled to take place in three weeks for the Constellation Cup. The organization faces the challenge of reconciling the issues raised by players while preparing for a crucial matchup against their long-standing rivals. The outcome of these discussions will be pivotal not only for the team’s future but also for the morale of the players as they continue to navigate a complex situation.