‘Dragging on too long’: NZ MP calls for Ferns funding cut as sad Taurua saga hits six weeks

As Netball New Zealand’s conflict with mastercoach Dame Noeline Taurua hits the six-week mark – and still with no end in sight, New Zealand politicians have now weighed in on the sorry saga.

Labour MP Willie Jackson on Tuesday called for a funding freeze on NNZ until a resolution with Taurua could be reached.

It’s reported NNZ currently receives around $3 million in funding per year.

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Taurua is currently stood down for the remainder of the year, while the Silver Ferns take on Australia and then tour the UK with interim coach Yvette McCausland-Durie at the helm.

NZ Sports Minister Mark Mitchell has responded to Jackson’s calls, refusing to cut funding – but instead issuing a stern warning to all involved in the crisis talks.

“I just think it’s dragging on too long – everyone involved loves netball but the fact of the matter is this is not good for netball,” he said on Newstalk ZB radio.

“This is not good for anyone.

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“I’ve asked Sport NZ to give me advice and send a clear message that this needs to be resolved.

“I haven’t given them a deadline … But I have an interest in this – there’s a fair bit of funding that goes to Netball New Zealand, taxpayers’ money.

“It’s an important game (netball) for us as a country.

“We have to get this resolved quickly and fairly for both parties.”

Mitchell, who would “love” to see Taurua reinstated, said he wanted a resolution reached quickly.

“There’s obvious issues here they need to deal with and address,” he said.

“Just get around the table and figure it out.”

It’s been a drawn out saga for Netball New Zealand, who have continued to remain tight lipped on the exact nature of the complaints against Taurua.

Claims of a “psychologically unsafe” training environment during the Ferns’ tour of Sydney back in January have emerged as the catalyst for a complaint that was later made with the New Zealand Netball Players’ Association.

It was reported two players – on behalf of five others – raised concerns over Taurua’s coaching.

Since then, neither NNZ or the NZNPA have confirmed or spoken in an official capacity on the drama – leaving many to speculate over which players were involved from that 14-person camp.

So far, only Grace Nweke has come out publicly to support Taurua in an emotional statement public statement that “definitely wasn’t supported” by NNZ, she later revealed.

Another Kiwi star Maia Wilson has also spoken out on the Taurua saga, given she is not currently involved in the Silver Ferns fold, but has been drawn into the speculation.

“I wasn’t a part of any player review,” she said on the Mandate NZ podcast.

“I actually found out this was all going down an hour before it (the Noeline stand down) became public to media. I was in complete shock.

“I’ve had people comment on my Instagram telling me, I keep hiding it … they were pretty much blaming me that I don’t have a backbone and this was my doing. I can honestly put hand on heart – I had no idea. I haven’t been a part of anything and I’m not privy to any information.

“It’s a shitshow to be fair.

“In my experience with Noels, I have felt like she’s always cared about the person before the player … There’s always a holistic approach with Noels. I’ve personally benefited from that.”

The Silver Ferns are scheduled to play three more games of the Constellation Cup – two of those in New Zealand next week after the side coughed up their biggest ever score to Australia in game one.