'My truth': Here's what coach Dame Noeline Taurua has to say about the 'horrific' Silver Ferns saga

Monday, 3 November 2025

The Silver Ferns coach still hasn't been told what the players concerns were.

Reinstated Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua has described the drawn-out employment saga with Netball NZ as “very horrific’’.

After a two-month drama that threatened to splinter the netball community and tested the sport's leadership, Taurua was reinstated by Netball NZ as coach of the Silver Ferns late last month.

The ace shooter stands by her plea for outcast coach to return

Dame Noeline Taurua has retained her Silver Ferns coaching job.

Although she won’t start back in the job until next year - the interim coaches put in place while Taurua was in discussions with Netball NZ will remain in place for the northern tour against Scotland and England - Taurua told Newstalk ZB on Monday morning that she was relieved to have her job back.

'I sit here feeling happy. I don't take my role lightly. I feel I am a guardian as a head coach, No 11, and I don't own it,’’ Taurua told Newstalk ZB host Mike Hosking.

'So to some degree I feel vindicated. It was a necessary statement that was included in the public statement by Netball NZ but a long way to go.''

Taurua said she was was now looking forward to getting back on court to begin coaching and prepare for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Despite being cleared of any wrongdoing by Netball NZ, Taurua was asked her view about not being on tour with the players ahead of their two games against Scotland and three against England.

'Look I am back, that is probably the thing that I am holding on to and as a coach my happy place is on court,’’ Taurua told NewstalkZB.

'Until I really get back, in my eyes, there is probably still a bit to go.

Dame Noeline Taurua will coach the Silver Ferns again next year.

“But I am happy, it has been a long journey over the last two months, very horrific in my eyes, but I have got to where I am and I am proud that I have been able to stand in my own truth, so to speak.''

Taurua was stood down by Netball NZ in September. But she says she still has no idea why was suspended.

A meeting on the eve of a training camp ahead of the series against South Africa, to resolve issues between the playing group and Silver Ferns management, resulted in her being removed from her position.

Taurua also said she couldn’t provide a full explanation of what unfolded with Netball NZ when she was stood down from her coaching duties.

'Yes, I am constrained. Mainly because of what's been signed and I will really want to honour that in regards to the integrity that I have. But also the balancing act that, I suppose, that I have to be able to put my truth out there. I am in my conscious space.

'I have never been so conscious in my life. I don't want it to be the shortest reinstatement, I have had enough excitement over the last two months.

'But I also need to put my truth out there. This is the balancing act I am prepared to walk.''

Taurua didn’t want to take legal action against Netball NZ because she was aware of wasting taxpayer money and also didn’t want to drain the fund from the netball community.