Lancaster to move on from Netball New Zealand

Netball New Zealand Board chair, John Bongard has today announced, with regret, the Board has accepted the resignation of NNZ Head of High Performance Steve Lancaster and confirmed he will finish up in in early October when he will take up a new role with NZ Rugby as Head of Provincial Union Rugby.

Lancaster joined Netball New Zealand in November 2014 and has contributed greatly to Netball New Zealand in the High Performance area.

Lancaster was instrumental in the review and development of the new Netball New Zealand High Performance strategy and establishment of the competition model to replace the ANZ Championship. He was part of the Silver Ferns Netball World Cup SYDNEY 2105 campaign where they won silver and also led the appointment of new Silver Ferns coach Janine Southby and assistant coach Yvette McCausland-Durie.

Lancaster says it had been a huge privilege to lead the High Performance team at Netball New Zealand over the past few years.

“I would like to acknowledge the team who I have worked with, the incredibly dedicated and hard-working staff and Board at Netball New Zealand, the Zones and Centres,” Lancaster said.

“It has been an amazing experience over the past couple of years and I am most grateful for the way the Netball community has responded through this time.

“I know the sport in is in great heart and I am excited about following the future success of Netball and the Silver Ferns.

“Whilst I have really enjoyed my time with Netball New Zealand, I am excited to return to rugby which has always been such a large part of my life.”

NNZ Board chair John Bongard said Lancaster had added significant value to NNZ through his development of the high performance system, and what he has added to both the national and the Zone programmes.

“We will miss Steve but wish him the very best in his new role with Rugby and we are glad New Zealand sport will continue to benefit from his expertise,'' Bongard said.

The NNZ Board will now begin the process to recruit a new Head of High Performance.