Plummer returns to face New Zealand
July 17, 2015
Norma Plummer is back to take on the Silver Ferns, but this time she’s leading South Africa’s SPAR Proteas © Reg Caldecott
Former Australian coach Norma Plummer crosses the ditch this month to take on the Silver Ferns in Test Match Netball once again, but this time she has a new bunch of athletes on her bench.
When Netball South Africa made their latest phone call to Norma Plummer, it came with a request she couldn’t turn down.
The sixth-ranked country in world Netball wanted the Australian to take them to next month’s Netball World Cup in Sydney.
And when the two-time world championship-winning coach found out the SPAR Proteas were bound for New Zealand to take on the Silver Ferns as part of their build-up, the passion for the game prickled just a little more for the netballing guru.
“My first thought was the Kiwis will be going ‘I thought we got rid of her and now she’s back’,” Plummer says with a laugh when contemplating her first trip back to New Zealand for over 12 months as head coach of a side. “To tell you the truth, I love coming to New Zealand and this is a whole new world for me coming back with the team from South Africa.”
Join the Silver Ferns on the road to NWC2015 – secure your seat to see them take on the Fiji Pearls and SPAR Proteas!
It was not in Plummer’s grand plan to step back into a head coaching role of an international side, with the job of mentoring other coaches the pathway she seemed destined to take.
South Africa however kept in touch with the super coach following the 2011 World Championships and after Plummer attended a training camp for the SPAR Proteas in February, the players were keen to learn more.
But it still came as a surprise, when relaxing in her Melbourne home – a glass of wine in hand and feet up on the couch – she got a phone call from South Africa’s chief executive, Blanche de la Guerre, with a proposal she felt she couldn’t refuse.
“I just thought how lousy would you be if, when I’m quite capable of doing it, not giving them some attention,” Plummer says.
“It was never by design, but the players had asked and honestly I felt they just needed a bit of direction.”
It is a big ask, even for someone with the coaching experience that Plummer wields – having been in a coaching role of some sort since 1967 – to take on a national side they know little about and take them to a World Championship.
Challenge however, is a word that drives Plummer.
“Of course I’m not underestimating the challenge – you’ve got Lisa Alexander (Australia) and Wai (Taumaunu – Silver Ferns) who have had four years with their team and I’m going to have three weeks. It puts it into perspective and I take that on board, take it on the chin and say ‘let’s go and give it a good crack’.”
Plummer has been impressed with what she has seen in South Africa so far having taken the SPAR Proteas to the Diamond Challenge where they went unbeaten including two victories over Malawi – their first since 2012.
“They’ve responded beautifully,” she says. “They’re quite capable but they just need direction.”
And Plummer sees the series against the Silver Ferns as a key opportunity to replicate the pressures they will face when they head to Sydney for next month’s world event.
“Going to New Zealand will give them the intensity so they know what they’ve got to work at,” she says. “Seriously, there are some great athletes in this side but there’s just a thirst for knowledge. And what better place to come to, to gauge how you’re tracking?”
Next: The lessons that set Norma Plummer on the path to becoming one of the most respected coaches in netball and what she loves most about her job.
Want more great insights like this, PLUS cool videos and special offers? Join the team and become a SilverFan today!
When Netball South Africa made their latest phone call to Norma Plummer, it came with a request she couldn’t turn down.
The sixth-ranked country in world Netball wanted the Australian to take them to next month’s Netball World Cup in Sydney.
And when the two-time world championship-winning coach found out the SPAR Proteas were bound for New Zealand to take on the Silver Ferns as part of their build-up, the passion for the game prickled just a little more for the netballing guru.
“My first thought was the Kiwis will be going ‘I thought we got rid of her and now she’s back’,” Plummer says with a laugh when contemplating her first trip back to New Zealand for over 12 months as head coach of a side. “To tell you the truth, I love coming to New Zealand and this is a whole new world for me coming back with the team from South Africa.”
Join the Silver Ferns on the road to NWC2015 – secure your seat to see them take on the Fiji Pearls and SPAR Proteas!
It was not in Plummer’s grand plan to step back into a head coaching role of an international side, with the job of mentoring other coaches the pathway she seemed destined to take.
South Africa however kept in touch with the super coach following the 2011 World Championships and after Plummer attended a training camp for the SPAR Proteas in February, the players were keen to learn more.
But it still came as a surprise, when relaxing in her Melbourne home – a glass of wine in hand and feet up on the couch – she got a phone call from South Africa’s chief executive, Blanche de la Guerre, with a proposal she felt she couldn’t refuse.
“I just thought how lousy would you be if, when I’m quite capable of doing it, not giving them some attention,” Plummer says.
“It was never by design, but the players had asked and honestly I felt they just needed a bit of direction.”
It is a big ask, even for someone with the coaching experience that Plummer wields – having been in a coaching role of some sort since 1967 – to take on a national side they know little about and take them to a World Championship.
Challenge however, is a word that drives Plummer.
“Of course I’m not underestimating the challenge – you’ve got Lisa Alexander (Australia) and Wai (Taumaunu – Silver Ferns) who have had four years with their team and I’m going to have three weeks. It puts it into perspective and I take that on board, take it on the chin and say ‘let’s go and give it a good crack’.”
Plummer has been impressed with what she has seen in South Africa so far having taken the SPAR Proteas to the Diamond Challenge where they went unbeaten including two victories over Malawi – their first since 2012.
“They’ve responded beautifully,” she says. “They’re quite capable but they just need direction.”
And Plummer sees the series against the Silver Ferns as a key opportunity to replicate the pressures they will face when they head to Sydney for next month’s world event.
“Going to New Zealand will give them the intensity so they know what they’ve got to work at,” she says. “Seriously, there are some great athletes in this side but there’s just a thirst for knowledge. And what better place to come to, to gauge how you’re tracking?”
Next: The lessons that set Norma Plummer on the path to becoming one of the most respected coaches in netball and what she loves most about her job.
Want more great insights like this, PLUS cool videos and special offers? Join the team and become a SilverFan today!