Silver Ferns thrown into disarray with Dame Noeline Taurua stood down for Taini Jamison Trophy
Wednesday, 10 September 2025
Dame Noeline Taurua’s future as Silver Ferns coach is in doubt after sensationally being stood down for the Taini Jamison Trophy series.
Netball New Zealand announced on Wednesday, Taurua would not be involved for the three-match series against South Africa, which starts on September 21 in Auckland.
In a statement to media, NNZ said discussions were ongoing between Taurua and the Silver Ferns management team concerning proposed changes to the Silver Ferns’ high performance programme and environment.
They were unable to resolve issues to everyone’s satisfaction in the time available before the Taini Jamison series, the Silver Ferns’ first home fixtures for 2025.
In these circumstances, NNZ decided to stand Taurua down for the series.
Former Silver Ferns assistant Yvette McCausland-Durie will coach the side in the Taini Jamison series in Taurua’s absence with Liana Leota serving as assistant coach.
Netball NZ board chair Matt Whineray said all parties remained hopeful of a resolution.
“We have a long relationship with Dame Noeline and her record with successive Silver Ferns teams speaks for itself. At this time, however, we need to focus on supporting players on the immediate challenge of playing South Africa…
“We understand that there will be questions about this, but we can’t make any other comment right now.”
Taurua’s absence raises alarm bells about her future as Silver Ferns head coach. She took over from Janine Southby in August 2018, remarkably steering New Zealand to a Netball World Cup title just nine months later in Liverpool.
It was a stunning turnaround from the Ferns after failing to medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, which proved Southby’s final act as coach.
With the Constellation Cup against Australia also looming in October, Taurua’s absence is a nightmare scenario for the Silver Ferns as reigning holders.
In April last year, Taurua was reappointed Silver Ferns’ coach after NNZ opted to go to market when her contract expired in February 2024.
Taurua emerged as the successful candidate and said the process made her look inwardly at herself and what she could do better.
She is contracted until early 2026, but had indicated she would carry on through to the World Cup, until Wednesday’s bombshell announcement.
The 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney had been shaping as a possible swansong for Taurua with the Ferns.
It would offer a perfect shot at redemption after the team’s disappointing showing at the 2023 Cape Town event, where they finished fourth – their worst placing in the 16 edition history of the tournament.