Swifts add Taura to coaching team

World Cup and Premiership-winning coach Dame Noeline Taurua will join the NSW Swifts in a consultancy role as a specialist coach.

The Silver Ferns mentor, who coached New Zealand to World Cup glory in 2019, led the Sunshine Coast Lightning to back-to-back Super Netball titles in 2017 and 2018 and was the only coach to lead a Kiwi club to trans-Tasman ANZ Championship success which she did in 2012 with the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic.

Taurua also coached two Grand Finals against the Swifts in 2008 and 2019, both of which were won by the NSW side.

As part of professional development, she will join the Swifts for a nine-day period starting from next week.

Swifts head coach Briony Akle, who recently fulfilled a similar role on Taurua’s New Zealand coaching team, welcomed her to the Swifts family.

“Our game has produced many wonderful coaches, but few are as decorated as Noeline and we are always looking for way to freshen up how we do things,” she said.

“I had the pleasure of being part of her wider Silver Ferns team and got a wonderful insight into how she works.

“But I also know it’s a two-way street and Noeline wouldn’t have had the success she’s enjoyed by not being open-minded and looking to learn from as many people as possible.

“When you look at the most successful clubs across all codes, their coaching teams have consistently innovated and challenged themselves, both in terms of methods and also personnel.

“Our team here at the Swifts have achieved a huge amount and Noeline is coming on board to compliment the brilliant work they are already doing.”

Taurua said she was both honoured and excited to be joining the Swifts.

“I have long had a huge respect for the Swifts and their history and legacy and enjoyed many great battles with them as an opposition coach down the years,” she said.

“To echo what Briony said, I believe if you aren’t learning daily you are standing still and this is a new challenge I am ready to embrace.

“With three Grand Finals in the last five years and two titles, the Swifts are already doing a lot of great things and I am really looking forward to contributing in any way I can.

“It was fantastic having Briony in our Silver Ferns camp recently and I am honoured to have the opportunity to be part of the team she’s leading in Sydney.”