Netball New Zealand’s remarkable coaching saga has taken another shock twist, with Kiwi star Grace Nweke sensationally stopping post-match formalities to pay an emotional tribute to Dame Noeline Taurua.
Nweke fought back tears as she stared down the camera and told Taurua directly: “Noels if you’re listening, we love you and we miss you and we want you back here,” she said to massive crowd applause in Invercargill, after the Silver Ferns claimed a clean sweep of the Taini Jamison Trophy against South Africa.
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It’s the first time a player has come out to publicly support Taurua, weeks after she was stood down for what Netball New Zealand claimed were issues “concerning proposed changes to the Silver Ferns High Performance program and environment”.
Reports then emerged of a “breakdown” between the coach and up to seven players over Taurua’s communication style – allegedly stemming from a nine-day training camp held in Sydney earlier this year.
Interestingly, Nweke was not part of that tour – but did play in those practice matches for New Zealand’s opposition, the NSW Swifts.
It’s believed two players claimed the Ferns environment was “psychologically unsafe” during that camp to the Netball New Zealand Players Association in June, allegedly on behalf of themselves and five teammates, with an investigation then commencing.
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On Sunday, Nweke used her first speech as stand-in winning captain to address the controversy that has so far provided little clarity given NNZ CEO Jenny Wyllie’s holiday absence and Taurua being unable to tell her side of the tale.
Nweke was so determined to speak out in support of Taurua that she stopped the event MC in Invercargill and took the microphone for herself, fighting back tears as she spoke.
“I think it’s remiss to celebrate the success without acknowledging Noeline Taurua (massive crowd applause) and the work she’s done for this team,” Nweke said.
“It’s been really hard for this group obviously with the change and adjusting on the fly, and I’m so proud of the girls for banding together to put on a performance and take 3-zip.
“A special thank you to Yvette (interim coach McCausland-Durie) and Lar (assistant Liana Leota) who have come in to support this group, been able to lead our group and keep us together. We couldn’t have done this without them.
“Going forward, Noels if you’re listening, we love you and we miss you and we want you back here (massive applause).
“You’ve done so much for this group and the work you’ve done this whole year – you deserve to be here and we want you back Noels.
“So thank you, thank you to everyone for supporting us regardless. Thank you.”
It’s an incredible statement made by a player widely known to be close to Taurua, with the master coach one of the most vocal supporters of Nweke’s decision to leave New Zealand’s ANZ Premiership to sign for the Swifts in 2025.
At the time, the decision by Nweke meant she could no longer represent the Silver Ferns.
Only a very recent rule change has allowed Nweke to still keep her Black Dress – but it’s a rule change Taurua had advocated strongly for in recent years.
Nweke’s words officially break the player silence that has reigned since Taurua was stood down on September 10.
And the words were said directly in front of Sue Gordon, who is acting chair of Netball New Zealand – and not Matt Whineray who was the voice attached to the statement standing down Taurua, and is now on leave.
It is now unclear who will coach the Silver Ferns heading into their next tournament – the Constellation Cup against Australia given McCausland-Durie was only announced as an interim for this series with South Africa.
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