Time is running out for Netball New Zealand as the hunt for a replacement Silver Ferns coach intensifies.
The Silver Ferns squad to play in September's Quad Series against England, South Africa and Australia is scheduled to be named in less than a fortnight.
There appears to be little local interest in filling the position vacated by Janine Southby, who resigned last month in the wake of Netball NZ's independent review into the Ferns' disastrous Commonwealth Games campaign.
Janine Southby Photo: Photosport
The position hasn't been advertised, there has been no indication on when the role will be filled, and it seems no one is keen to take on the tough task either.
It's understood that none of the six ANZ Premiership head coaches have applied for the job, and Netball NZ boss Jennie Wyllie has said the door is open for off-shore applicants.
One option appears to be to try and pursuade Australia-based former Magic and Steel coach Noeline Taurua to return home.
Another possibility is former Australian captain Vicki Wilson, who served as Waimarama Taumaunu's assistant in 2015.
Wilson has been in charge of Fiji for the past two years, but the world No.14 team has been hit hard by injury and suffered a winless run at the Gold Coast Comonwealth Games in April.
A further option would be to appoint a caretaker coach in the build-up to next July's World Cup in Liverpool.
In a break from tradition, there won't be a trial before the team is named, with selection instead based on performances in the ANZ Premiership.
Round robin play in the six-team competition ends today, when the table-topping Central Pulse play the Northern Mystics in Wellington.
A win for the Mystics will earn them third place and a spot in the play-off against the second-ranked Southern Steel next week to decide who will play the Pulse on August 12.
If the Mystics lose, it will be the Mainland Tactix who travel south to meet the Steel in Invercargill.
-RNZ
