Taurua to coach Silver Ferns to end of World Cup 27
Netball New Zealand has reappointed Dame Noeline Taurua as head coach of the Silver Ferns through to the conclusion of the 2027 Netball World Cup.
The contract extension follows the Silver Ferns' gold medal win at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where the team under Taurua went through the tournament undefeated before beating Jamaica 56-48 in the final to end a 16-year wait for gold.
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The decision reflects Netball New Zealand's confidence in Taurua leadership, coaching ability, integrity and vision, and our shared ambition to re-establish the Silver Ferns as the number one ranked team in the world.
She will lead the Silver Ferns high-performance programme, with the upcoming Constellation Cup the team's immediate international focus as preparations continue towards the 2027 Netball World Cup.
NNZ Chief Executive Jennah Wootten paid tribute to Taurua.
“The Silver Ferns programme is a world-class high-performance environment and we are thrilled to have retained the services of Dame Noeline. She is one of the greatest coaches in world netball.” said Wootten.
“Netball New Zealand is proud of the Silver Ferns programme and is confident in its people, systems and high-performance environment. We look forward to further success with a huge 12 months ahead.”
Taurua said happy to have her role confirmed.
"It is an absolute honour and privilege to coach the Silver Ferns. This team has a proud history and a legacy that has been built over generations by the coaches, players and people who have gone before us. I have enormous respect for the coaches who have held this role before me and for the contribution each of them has made to the black dress. It is a responsibility I don’t take lightly.
“I’m also incredibly proud of what this team achieved at the Commonwealth Games. The opportunity now is to build on that success, continue to grow our game and our people, and keep adding to the legacy of the Silver Ferns. To be part of this team as we work towards the 2027 Netball World Cup is incredibly special, and I’m excited about what lies ahead.”
The Silver Ferns will now turn their attention to the upcoming Constellation Cup, as the programme continues its build towards the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney.
Meanwhile the Silver Ferns will take on the Net Blacks NZ Men’s team across three matches in Hamilton in November, with Netball New Zealand today announcing the dates and venue for the final leg of the 2026 WM New Zealand Netball Series.
The matches will be played at Claudelands Arena on 17, 19 and 21 November, each starting at 7.30pm.
The series pits the Commonwealth Games champions against New Zealand's men's national team in a matchup which has been fiercely contested in the past.
The competition will cap a landmark year for the Silver Ferns, who claimed Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow in August before contesting the Constellation Cup against Australia in October. It forms part of their build up towards the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney.
WM New Zealand Netball Series Silver Ferns vs Net Blacks
Match 1: Tuesday 17 November – Claudelands Arena, Hamilton, 7.30pm,
Match 2: Thursday 19 November – Claudelands Arena, Hamilton, 7.30pm,
Match 3: Saturday 21 November – Claudelands Arena, Hamilton, 7.30pm.
