Taumaunu: ‘eight years is enough’
September 8, 2015
When the full-time whistle blows at Perth Arena on October 30, it will signal the end of an era for the Silver Ferns and coach Waimarama Taumaunu MBE.
For eight years, Taumaunu has sat courtside on the Silver Ferns team bench, first as an assistant coach and then as head coach. The upcoming four-Test New World Netball Series for the Constellation Cup against the Australian Diamonds will be her last at the helm – GET TICKETS.
It was a decision she didn’t take lightly. Taking time away from the game, Taumaunu said the lure of unfinished business wasn’t enough to re-commit for another four years with a number of factors helping her reach her decision.
“I think a new approach - a new broom - is actually what is needed at this stage,” a candid Taumaunu said.
“I firmly believe that eight years is enough and that it is someone with a new perspective and a new voice - it may be that simple.
“Bottom line is the results haven’t been what I would have liked and perhaps it’s a new approach that is needed to just push us over the line.”
She talks fondly of coaching alongside departing assistant coach Vicki Wilson OAM. At the 1991 World Cup Final in Sydney the pair were fierce competitors on the court – Wilson the legendary Australian goal shooter, and Taumaunu the determined Silver Ferns goal defence. Fast forward 24 years, and the pair formed a formidable combination to guide the Silver Ferns to a silver medal at Netball World Cup SYDNEY 2015.
“I thought ‘who is the best shooting person I could bring on’ and she [Vicki] was the person that came to mind. It was a long shot; initially she said no but then she thought about it for a week and came back and said she would,” Taumaunu recalls.
“In the back of my mind, in terms of a coaching combination, I’ve always thought I’d like to work with Vick. One of the things I’ll always remember is the great times we’ve had coaching. I have huge respect for her.”
Taumaunu is quick to praise her management team; a team she describes as “fantastic”.
“I don’t particularly enjoy meetings, but I did enjoy our meetings,” Taumaunu said with a smile.
“They are committed, purposeful, and single-minded and now, particularly at the end of a four-year cycle, they are experts in a Netball sense in their areas of work.
“It’s always great working with very competent people, but they are good people as well.”
The four-Test New World Netball Series for the Constellation Cup against the Australian Diamonds begins in Christchurch on October 20, with matches also played in Auckland (October 22), Melbourne (October 25) and Perth (October 30) – GET TICKETS
For eight years, Taumaunu has sat courtside on the Silver Ferns team bench, first as an assistant coach and then as head coach. The upcoming four-Test New World Netball Series for the Constellation Cup against the Australian Diamonds will be her last at the helm – GET TICKETS.
It was a decision she didn’t take lightly. Taking time away from the game, Taumaunu said the lure of unfinished business wasn’t enough to re-commit for another four years with a number of factors helping her reach her decision.
“I think a new approach - a new broom - is actually what is needed at this stage,” a candid Taumaunu said.
“I firmly believe that eight years is enough and that it is someone with a new perspective and a new voice - it may be that simple.
“Bottom line is the results haven’t been what I would have liked and perhaps it’s a new approach that is needed to just push us over the line.”
She talks fondly of coaching alongside departing assistant coach Vicki Wilson OAM. At the 1991 World Cup Final in Sydney the pair were fierce competitors on the court – Wilson the legendary Australian goal shooter, and Taumaunu the determined Silver Ferns goal defence. Fast forward 24 years, and the pair formed a formidable combination to guide the Silver Ferns to a silver medal at Netball World Cup SYDNEY 2015.
“I thought ‘who is the best shooting person I could bring on’ and she [Vicki] was the person that came to mind. It was a long shot; initially she said no but then she thought about it for a week and came back and said she would,” Taumaunu recalls.
“In the back of my mind, in terms of a coaching combination, I’ve always thought I’d like to work with Vick. One of the things I’ll always remember is the great times we’ve had coaching. I have huge respect for her.”
Taumaunu is quick to praise her management team; a team she describes as “fantastic”.
“I don’t particularly enjoy meetings, but I did enjoy our meetings,” Taumaunu said with a smile.
“They are committed, purposeful, and single-minded and now, particularly at the end of a four-year cycle, they are experts in a Netball sense in their areas of work.
“It’s always great working with very competent people, but they are good people as well.”
The four-Test New World Netball Series for the Constellation Cup against the Australian Diamonds begins in Christchurch on October 20, with matches also played in Auckland (October 22), Melbourne (October 25) and Perth (October 30) – GET TICKETS