Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua and Netball NZ CEO Jennah Wootten on private league, player exodus, bizarre timing

Dame Noeline Taurua has addressed the pending privatisation of New Zealand’s domestic netball competition, the exodus of players overseas, and the bizarre timing of the announcement that she will stay on as Silver Ferns coach.

The 2019 World Cup winner will lead New Zealand through to the end of next year’s Netball World Cup in Australia. The Ferns are fresh off an unbeaten run to Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow and are looking towards next month’s Constellation Cup series against Australia.

Thursday’s press conference marked the first time Taurua has publicly spoken about Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams launching a private domestic competition next year.

The months of uncertainty around the competition’s future led 18 Kiwi players to find new clubs in Australia and the UK.

Taurua is confident she can maintain a coherent test system.