Kiwi coach ‘devastated’ by stand down call as Ferns stars ‘told not to’ speak out

Dame Noeline Taurua has been left “devastated” by the decision to stand her down from Silver Ferns duties, amid reports players are now being “told not to” speak out in support of the master coach.

Ex-New Zealand coach Yvonne Willering reached out to Taurua amid the biggest turmoil New Zealand netball has ever faced.

“She’s devastated – obviously she wants to carry on but you know, she’s looked at this and I think it’s caught her by surprise as well,” she said.

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“I’m just really disappointed it’s got to this situation.”

Taurua was stood down as New Zealand coach for at least the upcoming Taini Jamison Trophy matches against South Africa in the coming days – with fears she may never return to the role as a result of alleged claims of “player unrest”.

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It’s been reported up to seven players have raised concerns about a “psychologically unsafe” environment during the Ferns most recent camp in Australia where 15 athletes took part in pre-season matches against the NSW Swifts – a side featuring one of their own in Grace Nweke.

Those players have not been publicly named and the New Zealand Netball Players Association is yet to come forward with any public statement – despite being at the centre of the review.

“I’ve been told some players do want to speak out in support of Dame Noeline Taurua but are being told not to,” 1News New Zealand reporter Kate Wells said.

“1News understands a senior player is at the centre of all of this – she and other players complained about the environment following a camp in Sydney in January.”

Wells also revealed instability within Netball New Zealand where she claims there’s been “ongoing issues internally”.

“In the past two years, more than 20 full time staff have left Netball New Zealand – one former staff has described the work environment as toxic,” she said.

“Netball New Zealand saying a short time ago they’ve been through a lot of change lately and all change processes are tough and those affected will have strong feelings about it.”

Speaking on the Inside Netball podcast, Kiwi netball icon Adine Wilson fought back tears as she addressed the Taurua situation.

“You can hear I’m devastated for everyone involved,” she said.

“No one will have wanted events to unfold this way, and I’m sure many people like myself are feeling torn.

“This is an extremely complex situation.

“You would find it very hard to see Noeline being able to come back into the fold after this. It may happen – I don’t know. But it would be a tough situation.

“Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom to create change.”

Podcast guest, and renowned netball commentator, Jenny Woods described the saga as “unprecedented”.

“I didn’t see this coming,” she said.

“We have five players who made themselves unavailable for Silver Ferns selection this time round… now we don’t know if that means anything.

“I’m annoyed as much as anything with Netball New Zealand and the board – I mean why have they taken so long (if complaints about the January camp were made back then)? Because when did this whatever it was – when did it happen? I think that’s what I’m frustrated with.

“There’s no doubt that Noelene is a hero in the netball world.”

Woods described the speculation surrounding certain players and the ongoing rumours associated with the decision to stand Taurua down as “a little bit feral”.

One talent agency even posted a statement online to defend their players due to the constant rumours circulating.

“We are appalled by the baseless gossip and inaccurate speculation that is currently circulating online,” Enigma Sport posted.

“Unfounded narratives are not only reckless but cause immense harm.

“Athletes are human beings and deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.”

Ferns players have now gathered in camp under interim coach Yvette McCausland-Durie who herself conceded stepping in was “definitely a challenge”.

Players will have just over a week until the first Test against South Africa starting on September 21 – but as yet, there’s been no final 12 squad named and no captain in place, with Ameliaranne Ekenasio stepping away from international duties in 2025.