End of an era, Kia Magic coach calls time
Press Release May 23, 2013
Kia Magic head coach Noeline Taurua is set to end her long and frutiful tenure with the Waikato/Bay of Plenty netball team at the end of August.
Under Taurua’s stewardship, Kia Magic has produced an enviable record of being the only team to make the semi-finals every year during the semi-professional era of the ANZ Championship, the only team to make three grand finals and New Zealand’s only team to win the competition.
In making her intentions known early, the Kia Magic mentor is hoping for a smoother handover than would happen if she waited until season’s-end.
``I am bringing this out in the open now because I have the best interests of the Kia Magic team and the Netball Waikato Bay of Plenty Zone at heart,’’ Taurua said.
``The end of the competition is a critical time in regards to the negotiation of contracts and the transition period. From what I have experienced from other teams when a coach goes at the end of the season, it can have a negative impact.’’
When the season winds up in the middle of July, there is a two-week grace before contracting players for the following year begins in earnest.
``I want to make this whole period as seamless as possible and to leave the zone as a whole and team in the best possible space that I can,’’ Taurua said. ``And the timing to be able to do that is critical.’’
Waikato Bay of Plenty Zone Board chair John Wiltshire paid tribute to Taurua’s longevity and success, saying the whole community would be sorry to see her go.
``I would like to acknowldge the outstanding service Noeline has given during her time with Kia Magic in fashioning an outstanding record which speaks for itself,’’ Wiltshire said.
An immensely popular figure, Taurua is just one of two coaches, along with Jane Woodlands-Thompson (Adelaide Thunderbirds), who have survived the duration of the ANZ Championship, which was launched in 2008.
As a feeder team for higher honours, Kia Magic has been one of the most successful in New Zealand of elevating players to national age-group and Silver Ferns status.
Before the ANZ Championship, Taurua had five years with its precusor, the domestic National Bank Cup competition, winning the 2005 and 2006 titles.
Innovation has been Taurua’s hallmark, her creativity and ability to think outside the square being major drawcards in keeping her players interested and challenged. The only team to make the play-offs every year, the crowning glory being last year’s breakthrough ANZ Championship title win, the colourful coach has experienced all the associated highs and lows inbetween. And now feels the time is right to move on.
``This is my 11th year in this environment which is a long time,’’ she said. ``I’m thankful for the support that I’ve had and the many fantastic people I’ve been involved with over this time.’’
Taurua has no firm plans for the future but will continue with the three-year Coach Accelerant Programme, run by High Performance Sport New Zealand, which she was accepted for this year.
``I’ve developed a particular set of skills and abilities in high performance sport over my coaching tenure,’’ she said. ``I am excited by the opportunity of new challenges, to apply these tools of the trade to another environment, be that another sport, business or even another netball setting.
``I haven’t really thought too far ahead apart from finishing the season dominantly with Kia Magic and I’m confident opportunities will present in good time.’’
The search is set to start immediately to find Taurua’s replacement.
``We appreciate this was a difficult decision for Noeline and acknowledge her efforts in helping with the transitional phase,’’ Waikato Bay of Plenty Zone CEO Tim Hamilton said.
``We are now committed to working through the process in selecting the best coach to take Kia Magic through the future years.’’
Jane Hunt
Kia Magic media liaison
Ph: 021-107-0287
