Silver Ferns interim assistant stayed home

Interim assistant coach Liana Leota (right) seen here with Yvette McCausland-Durie will return home from the Silver Ferns northern tour PHOTO: CRAIG BUTLAND/lINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY

A Netball New Zealand statement has confirmed that interim Silver Ferns assistant coach Liana Leota has not joined the team for the matches against Scotland due to family reasons.

Silver Ferns Interim head coach Yvette McCausland-Durie said the team’s thoughts are with Leota and her whānau.

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“Our aroha and thoughts are with Liana and her family during this difficult time,” said McCausland-Durie. “The team is fully supportive of her taking the time she needs, and we look forward to welcoming her back when the time is right.”

Waimarama Taumaunu continues to support the team in her High-Performance role for the Series.

Netball New Zealand had already agreed with Dame Noeline that she would not join the Northern Tour.

NNZ said tht having her available in New Zealand means we can move forward immediately with the work we want to do to strengthen the Silver Ferns high performance programme.