Taumaunu Appointed As Silver Ferns Coach

Netball New Zealand is pleased to confirm the appointment of Waimarama Taumaunu for a four-year term as the new head coach of the Silver Ferns.

Netball New Zealand Chief Executive Raelene Castle says Taumaunu’s comprehensive coaching expertise along with her strong vision for the Silver Ferns were instrumental factors in her appointment as the new Silver Ferns coach.

“Waimarama will bring a huge amount of experience, dedication and passion into her new role as Silver Ferns Head coach and we believe she is the best person to take the team forward for the next four years”, she said.

A former Silver Ferns captain Waimarama Taumaunu becomes just the 9th Silver Ferns coach since the sport first competed internationally in 1938.

Taumaunu says “this is such an honour and I am determined to take the Silver Ferns to the next level and would like to acknowledge the amazing record and legacy left by coach Ruth Aitken,” Taumaunu said.

One of the great indomitable defenders in New Zealand netball history, Waimarama Taumaunu’s name has featured prominently in netball, whether as a player, national, regional or club coach, or an executive member.

Taumaunu represented New Zealand for a decade from 1981 – the highlight winning the 1987 World Championships - and captained the Silver Ferns from 1989 to 1991. She was the assistant coach for Yvonne Willering in 1998 and she has been in the role as Silver Ferns assistant coach from 2008-2011. Taumaunu has a long international record also being the assistant coach of the England Team, working with fellow New Zealander Lyn Gunson in 2002-03.

Taumaunu spent five years in England from 1998, as national performance director of All England Netball, during which time she gained an unprecedented five years of lottery funding for the sport. She was also a foundation director of the English Institute of Sport.
Away from the court, the former secondary school teacher has worked on a number of government initiatives to boost sport – managing the CoachForce programme for SPARC (Sport and Recreation New Zealand) and developing coaching and Maori sport for the Hillary Commission.

Taumaunu will begin her new role immediately and will lead the Silver Ferns in the three test series against Australia. Former Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken is unavailable for the series due to family reasons.

23 Oct –Silver Ferns v Australian Diamonds, Burswood Dome, Perth
26 Oct –Silver Ferns v Australian Diamonds, Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
30 Oct –Silver Ferns v Australian Diamonds, Hisense Arena, Melbourne.