Silver Ferns

Spearheaded by innovative head coach Noeline Taurua and her assistant coach Deb Fuller, the Silver Ferns completed a remarkable turnaround, against all the odds, to clinch July’s Netball World Cup.

Still in the infancy of their tenure, Noeline Taurua and Deb Fuller left an indelible mark as they guided the Silver Ferns to a first world title in 16 years.

Taking an ever-captivated nation along for the ride, the duo ensured there was much to be satisfied with after the Silver Ferns produced a compelling 2019.

In a race against time, with just 11 months to build and restore the team’s flagging fortunes for the sport’s pinnacle event, the pair relied on meticulous step-by-step planning. The wider, often unrecognised team behind the team were also key players in ensuring the best possible outcome.

Coming in as head coach in August 2018, Taurua identified that the team needed a spine and the key to that was having experience and leaders in each area of the court, which was highlighted in the selection of the 12 who went to Liverpool.

Building the foundations meant plenty of early teething problems with losses in the initial exchanges being embraced with more enthusiasm than normal.

Having forged a hugely successful coaching resume on both sides of the Tasman, Taurua was well-equipped to appreciate a number of differing styles of play and players while acknowledging the subtle points of difference that have defined New Zealand Netball.

Two months in the making and on the back of two lost series (the 2018 Quad Series and 2018 Constellation Cup), the Silver Ferns penned their vision for the Netball World Cup. PURE.

PLAY TO WIN UNITED RUTHLESS EXPLOSIVE

NETBALL QUAD SERIES

Following the Northern Quad Series in England, where the Silver Ferns lost 54-41 to England and 53-50 to Australia before prevailing 62-60 over South Africa, targets for World Cup selection were put in place.

During the entirety of the ANZ Premiership, there were weekly checkpoints that were aligned with the squad’s values while a fortnightly fitness test was introduced, which maintained tension for Netball World Cup hopefuls.

This involved all the providers, trainers and coaches in the ANZ Premiership. Their combined feedback was relayed every four weeks.

Individually, players knew exactly where they stood in terms of their level of play, i.e, world-leading, international or national, which was useful in terms of gauging a player’s progress.

With the game continuing to increase in intensity, it was found players were operating at 5–10 percent more in 2019 than what was recorded during the 2015 Netball World Cup.

The concrete data provided exact detail on who was dropping off, who could handle intensity and who was actually hitting the international averages.

In terms of owning performance during this time, there were five places where players could turn to improve their game:

• Franchise coaches

• Specialist coaches

• Selectors

• Silver Ferns coach and assistant coach

• The wider management group, including data specialists, conditioners, medical team, nutritionists.

players who could play the explosive game in deciding the 12 for Netball World Cup.

With the team selected in May, the intensity stepped up with a training camp on the Sunshine Coast in June.

The objective of this camp was clear with three trainings a day, over five days, of hard court sessions to see how the players would respond when they got more and more tired and underwent more loading than what they were going to experience at the Netball World Cup.

CADBURY NETBALL SERIES – JUNE

That was quickly followed by the Cadbury Netball Series in Auckland, in June, involving the New Zealand Men’s Invitational team, the All Stars and Fiji, which added the polish.

The first ever international series where women and men have played on the same court proved a masterstroke. The Silver Ferns regularly train against men’s teams, but it’s traditionally been behind closed doors.

Producing a mix of flair, speed, athleticism and physicality, the New Zealand Men’s Invitational team provided all the styles the Silver Ferns would come up against at the Netball World Cup in Liverpool. It proved an invaluable and inspiring decision, adding another key element to the Silver Ferns build-up while challenging the coaches to move their game strategies around and think outside the square.

The Silver Ferns opened the series with a 61-45 win over the All Stars and followed up with an enthralling and competitive 54-50 loss to the men. The inclusion of the men’s team was lauded from near and far, with the public and players alike warmly embracing the special occasion and experiencing a worthy and captivating spectacle.

An 88-30 win over Fiji set the Silver Ferns up for a rematch with the men’s team in the final, the men producing a strong second half to take the spoils 66-54. The two games against the men, however, had a telling impact for the Silver Ferns. On leaving New Zealand, the TAB odds on the Silver Ferns winning the title were long at $12. Arriving in Liverpool, Taurua changed the emphasis to heart and guts.

Their tournament opener against Malawi was the Silver Ferns ‘statement’ game and the 19-goal win was just that, setting the tone perfectly for what was to follow.

CADBURY NETBALL SERIES – CONSTELLATION CUP

Instigated in 2010, the Silver Ferns had not won the Constellation Cup since 2012 but were keen to end the international season on a high in October during the four-Test series against world champions Australia.

With former Silver Ferns coach and player Yvonne Willering joining former Adelaide Thunderbirds coach Jane WoodlandsThompson as specialist coaches for the series, the Silver Ferns got away to the perfect start.

In a tight contest all the way, the newly-minted world champions pipped the Constellation Cup holders 53-52 in a thrilling opener in Christchurch.

The Diamonds responded in trademark style with a 48-42 win in Auckland, leaving the series all-square heading into the Australian leg.

Trailing through the first three-quarters, the Silver Ferns produced a stirring fourth quarter comeback to gain a significant 54-53 win in Sydney.

With everything on the line in Perth in a winner-takes-all clash – during which celebrated shooter Maria Folau notched her 150th Test cap, second only to captain Laura Langman in the all-time Silver Ferns standings – the women in black were left to rue a slow start, leaving too much work to do despite a customary late charge as the Diamonds held on for a 53-46 win.

In a repeat of the drawn 2015 series, Australia retained the cup on the back of a higher goal percentage but the Silver Ferns could look back on a memorable year.

With a growing sense of confidence and self-belief, the Silver Ferns are poised to reassert their credentials, to build on the impressive foundations set in 2019 and continue to set new boundaries.

Special acknowledgement to SF #135 Casey Kopua who has stepped away from all Netball following the 2019 Netball World Cup victory.

PURE Joy

character shown by the New Zealanders, after a tumultuous previous 12 months was in evidence as they held on to pocket their first world title since 2003.

The Silver Ferns completed a spectacular rise back to the top of the podium after clinching a memorable 52-51 win over Australia in the Netball World Cup final in Liverpool.

Penning their vision eight months out from the Netball World Cup, the Silver Ferns dedication to be PURE was exemplified during a demanding and at times brutal schedule, which involved eight games in 10 days.

In a vintage trans-Tasman clash, Australia trimmed a fourgoal deficit at three-quarter time to chase the Silver Ferns hard all the way to the finish line, the growing resilience and A long time coming for the old hands, the overriding joy at the final whistle was palpable. Heading into retirement, it was a fitting finale for outstanding defender Casey Kopua, filling the only gap in a glittering resume with a Netball World Cup title, along with her fellow experienced trio of Laura Langman, Maria Folau and Katrina Rore.

In an intriguing first-up clash, the Silver Ferns buried their demons in the opening game of the tournament to despatch Malawi 64-45.

After losing to Malawi at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the Silver Ferns made sure there was no repeat, finishing the first quarter with a strong surge before nailing the win in a decisive all-round showing.

That set the tone for the Silver Ferns through the remaining preliminary stage one matches where they posted comfortable wins over Barbados (78-25), Singapore (89-21), Zimbabwe (79-36) and Northern Ireland (77-28).

In the process, all players were given equal court time as the build-up for more challenging times ahead continued, player freshness also being a priority.

The Silver Ferns faced their first real litmus test – against perennial rivals Australia – in the pool decider to determine the seeding order for the semi-finals.

In a sign of things to come, the Silver Ferns gave a glimpse of their growing credentials during a riveting contest. Trailing narrowly through the first three-quarters, the New Zealanders produced a dazzling final stanza to draw level with just over a minute to go.

The Diamonds held on to seal a tight 50-49 win, but the women in black had sent an ominous warning.

The loss pitted the Silver Ferns against Commonwealth Games champions England in the semi-finals, an experienced team in front of a boisterous home crowd and tipped by many to win the final.

The Silver Ferns flourished in their underdog status, holding the edge during the first and third quarters, character and

Below: The self proclaimed ‘fossils’, Casey Kopua, Laura Langman and Maria Folau Netball New Zealand Annual Report 2019 33

experience denying a late-charging England during a pulsating run to the line. The 47-45 win by the Silver Ferns setting the scene for a rematch with Australia in the final.

Once again, the Silver Ferns showed their growing resilience to keep their noses just in front of an ever-challenging Australia through the first three-quarters. With their title on the line, the Diamonds threw everything into a fourth-quarter charge, edging to within one goal with 90 seconds on the clock, but the Silver Ferns provided no chinks, their fairy-tale run complete.

Ending a long barren run for the Silver Ferns, stalwarts Kopua, Folau, Langman – affectionately dubbed the fossils – and Rore, playing in the unaccustomed position of wing defence through much of the tournament, highlighted the benefit of experience. The steely nerves of shooting sensation Ameliaranne Ekenasio, the dynamic athletic ability of defender Jane Watson and the steadying hands and feeding vision of midcourters Gina Crampton and Shannon Saunders all shone through in wholehearted team efforts during defining semifinal and final moments.

With each game, there was an ever-increasing wave of support for the Silver Ferns in Liverpool as the women in black took the nation on a thrilling ride. Due recognition came thick and fast afterwards and included a parliamentary reception, a bonus payment and a welcome rise to number 2 in the world rankings after they had landed at the tournament as the fourth-ranked team.

#1 Margaret Matangi, #2 Jean Mitchell, #3 Elva Divers (nee Howard), #4 Muriel Boswell (nee Howe), #5 Mary Martin, #6 Ethel Withell (nee Neame), #7 Jean Lomax (nee Willson), #8 Oonah Shannahan (nee Murray), #9 Azalea Sinclair (nee Clark), #10 Dixie Cockerton, #11 Josie Hickey, #12 Alison Preston-Thomas (nee Hughes), #13 Mary Sullivan, #14 Dell Bandeen (nee Turner), #15 Beverley Malcolm (nee Avery), #16 Leslie Purvis (nee Black), #17 Joyce Sullivan, #18 Thelma Turner (nee Trask), #19 Rona Woodgyer, #20 Betty Plant, #21 Natalie Wicken (nee Nicholls), #22 June Mariu (nee Waititi), #23 Judy Blair (nee Dunlop), #24 Pamela Barham (nee Smith), #25 Marion Law (nee Johnston), #26 Colleen Falloon (nee McMaster), #27 Lois Muir (nee Osborne), #28 Shirley Annan (nee Patrick), #29 Betty Steffensen (nee Pratt), #30 Margaret Pawson (nee Elliott), #31 Rebecca Chaplow (nee Faulkner), #32 Betty McNamara, #33 Elva Simpson (nee Tait), #34 Joan Harnett (nee Martin), #35 Lesley Harris (nee Baker), #36 Mirth Solomon (nee Te Moananui), #37 Tilly Hirst (nee Vercoe), #38 Ann Rankin (nee Blair), #39 Pam Marsden (nee Hamilton), #40 Billie Irwin, #41 Sandra Easterbrook (nee James), #42 Margaret Filippini (nee Gardiner), #43 Elizabeth Rowley (nee Story), #44 Nancy King (nee Carroll), #45 Shirley Langrope, #46 Lynne Macdonald, #47 Frances Webster (nee Hawe), #48 Brenda Rowberry (nee Walker), #49 Sandra Richards (nee Norman), #50 Coral Palmer, #51 Lorraine Mair, #52 Olwyn McKay (nee Frethey), #53 Lyn Gunson, #54 Beth Huntington (nee Carnie), #55 Frances Granger (nee Rawstorm), #56 Marilyn Munro, #57 Christine Pietzner (nee Cottrell), #58 Georgina Salter (nee Hapuku), #59 Yvonne Willering, #60 Maxine Blomquist, #61 Anne Taylor (nee Downey), #62 Margharet Matenga (nee Kamana), #63 Pauline Knaggs (nee Flynn), #64 Leigh Gibbs (nee Mills), #65 Ruth Aitken (nee Fathers), #66 Margaret Forsyth, #67 Lyn Robertson (nee Proudlove), #68 Geane Hohipuha (nee Katae), #69 Janice Waddy (nee Henderson), #70 Waimarama Taumaunu, #71 Te Aroha Keenan (nee Clarke), #72 Tracey Fear, #73 Rhonda Wilcox (nee Meads), #74 Rita Fatialofa, #75 Sandra Edge, #76 Annette Heffernan (nee Blomquist), #77 Karen Henrikson, SILVER FERNS 1938–2019

#78 Julie Townsend, #79 Liz McJorrow (nee Neilson), #80 Julie Carter, #81 Tracy Shortland (nee Eryl), #82 Denise Felix, #83 Joan Hodson (nee Solia), #84 Angela Bell (nee Pule), #85 Sharon Gold (nee Burridge), #86 Cathrine Wilkinson, #87 Robin Dillimore, #88 Ana Noovao, #89 April Ieremia, #90 Louisa Wall, #91 Tanya Dearns (nee Cox), #92 Carron Jerram (nee Topping), #93 Pania Papa, #94 Leonie Leaver (nee Wendt), #95 Sheryl Waite, #96 Margaret Foster (nee Bray), #97 Lisa Wilson, #98 Bernice Mene, #99 Sheryl Burns (nee George), #100 Gael Nagaiya (nee Robinson), #101 Sonya Hardcastle, #102 Linda Vagana, #103 Leilani Read, #104 Teresa Tairi, #105 Belinda Charteris (nee Blair), #106 Julie Seymour (nee Dawson), #107 Lesley Rumball (nee Nicol), #108 Noeline Taurua, #109 Debbie Fuller (nee Matoe), #110 Anna Stanley (nee Rowberry), #111 Elisa Taringa, #112 Belinda Colling, #113 Tania Dalton (nee Nicholson), #114 Donna Wilkins (nee Loffhagen), #115 Gail Parata, #116 Jenny-May Clarkson (nee Coffin), #117 Sheryl Scanlan (nee Clarke), #118 Jo Morrison (nee Steed), #119 Lorna Suafoa, #120 Adine Wilson (nee Harper), #121 Temepara Bailey (nee George), #122 Irene van Dyk, #123 Vilimaina Davu, #124 Anna Galvan (nee Veronese), #125 Victoria Edward, #126 Angela Mitchell (nee Evans), #127 Daneka Wipiiti, #128 Anna Harrison (nee Scarlett), #129 Leana de Bruin (nee du Plooy), #130 Jodi Brown (nee Te Huna), #131 Joline Henry, #132 Amigene Metcalfe, #133 Laura Langman, #134 Maria Folau (nee Tutaia), #135 Casey Kopua (nee Williams), #136 Jessica Tuki, #137 Debbie White, #138 Maree Bowden (nee Grubb), #139 Paula Griffin, #140 Katrina Rore (nee Grant), #141 Liana Leota (nee Barrett-Chase), #142 Wendy Frew (nee Telfer), #143 Anna Thompson, #144 Larrissa Willcox, #145 Grace Kara (nee Rasmussen), #146 Camilla Lees, #147 Kayla Cullen, #148 Cathrine Tuivaiti (nee Latu), #149 Sulu Fitzpatrick, #150 Bailey Mes, #151 Courtney Tairi, #152 Shannon Saunders (neeFrancois), #153 Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit, #154 Katarina Cooper, #155 Phoenix Karaka, #156 Ellen Halpenny, #157 Ameliaranne Ekenasio (nee Wells), #158 Temalisi Fakahokotau, #159 Malia Vaka (nee Paseka), #160 Jane Watson, #161 Te Paea Selby-Rickit, #162 Storm Purvis, #163 Maia Wilson, #164 Gina Crampton, #165 Samantha Sinclair, #166 Kelly Jury, #167 Whitney Souness, #168 Claire Kersten, #169 Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, #170 Elisapeta Toeava, #171 Karin Burger, #172 Aliyah Dunn, #173 Erikana Pedersen, #174 Kimiora Poi, #175 Erena Mikaere

1979 Silver Ferns Reunion

The 1979 Silver Ferns continue to be celebrated for the lasting impact they have left and continue to leave on Netball in New Zealand.

Forty years after sharing the Netball World Cup title with Australia and hosts Trinidad and Tobago – the only-ever tied result – the team of 1979 gathered for a reunion during June’s Cadbury Netball Series, which featured the Silver Ferns, All Stars, Fiji and the New Zealand Men’s Invitational team.

On the eve of the current Silver Ferns departure for the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool, the reunion couldn’t have been more timely as the past met the present to help inspire another compelling chapter over lunch together.

The 1979 tournament was held in Port of Spain with the top 10 teams playing a round-robin format to determine the world champions. The New Zealand team of 12 was coached by the legendary Dame Lois Muir.

New Zealand, Trinidad and Tobago, and Australia all won eight of their nine matches – New Zealand beating Trinidad and Tobago 49-33, Australia beating New Zealand 38-36 and Trinidad and Tobago defeating Australia 40-38 – which left a three-way tie for the gold medal.

It was the second time New Zealand had won the World Cup after their inaugural win in 1967, but the 1979 team has been lauded for its immense contribution to New Zealand’s Netballing heritage. Many of those players remain household names.

Four players went on to guide the Silver Ferns – Ruth Aitken, Leigh Gibbs, Lyn Gunson and Yvonne Willering – while also playing their part in helping raise the profile of Netball worldwide with further coaching and consulting roles.

Shooters Margharet Matenga and Margaret Forsyth – who became affectionately dubbed the two Margs – went on to revolutionise the shooting circle for years to follow with their dazzling array of skills.

On retirement, Matenga returned to her country of birth to coach the Cook Islands on the international stage.

Many of the players from the 1979 team continue to have an input into the game at various levels in different countries while Dame Lois is well-known for her massive influence and is never far from the action.

Standing up to adversity did more than win New Zealand its second World Netball Cup – it ensured New Zealand’s Netballing legacy was in safe hands.

Energy-sapping heat, a playing surface that became lethal in the heavy rains and an at-times hostile environment were among the many obstacles the New Zealand team had to overcome in 1979. But it was that hardship that created

something special and from which the game has benefitted ever since, much of that having been learned on the demanding tour to the Caribbean 40 years ago.

Their lengthy campaign started in Jamaica in early August where the Silver Ferns played the hosts, winning all three Tests, as they attempted to adjust to the conditions awaiting them in Port of Spain.

Playing in a new purpose-built complex, the Silver Ferns were nonetheless surrounded by poverty and were restricted to staying in their hotel except for game time when they had a police escort to the complex to ensure their safety.

It was an era when Trinidad and Tobago were a powerhouse of Netball, and the crowd didn’t take kindly to losing, but the resilience of the New Zealanders shone through, the baton being passed down through the generations of the standards set 40 years ago.

This reunion would not have been made possible without the support of One Foundation.

1979 Silver Ferns Netball World Cup winners:

Players: Ruth Aitken Maxine Blomquist Margaret Forsyth Leigh Gibbs Lyn Gunson (captain) Geane Hohipuha Margharet Matenga Marilyn Munro Chris Pietzner Lynn Robertson Janice Waddy Yvonne Willering

Coach and support staff: Dame Lois Muir Pat Cleland Dawn Jones Anne Taylor