New Zealand netball coach Noeline Taurua has recommited to the Australian league until the end of next year, ruling out any role with the Silver Ferns leading into next year's World Cup.
Netball coach Noeline Taurua. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Taurua took the Sunshine Coast Lightning to the premiership title in the inaugural Super Netball competition last year.
The franchise says Taurua played a key role in establishing the club's culture and attracting star players and says the veteran coach is an important part of its future.
The extension until the end of the 2019 season ends speculation from New Zealand fans unhappy with the performance of current Silver Ferns coach Janine Southby.
Southby is contracted as head coach until 2019 but is under pressure after a series of poor performances from the Ferns.
Australian Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander and Sunshine Coast Lightning Coach Noeline Taurua Photo: Sunshine Coast Lightning
Taurua missed out on the Silver Ferns job in 2015, despite being the only New Zealand coach to have won the trans-Tasman league with the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic in 2012.
The Lightning head to New Zealand this week for practice matches against the Southern Steel.
The 2018 Super Netball season begins on April 28.
Taurua and the Lightning will assist the Australian Diamonds in their preparation for the Commonwealth Games.
They will play practice matches.
It will not be the first time the Diamonds have prepared on the Sunshine Coast, after holding a camp with Taurua in Mooloolaba before the Netball Quad Series in August 2017.
-RNZ
