Dame Noeline Taurua says the outcome of the Nations Cup tournament starting this weekend may decide her future as the coach of the Silver Ferns.
The Ferns head into 2024 looking to dispel memories of a disappointing 2023 campaign, where they finished fourth at the Netball World Cup and lost the Constellation Cup to Australia.
Their trans-Tasman rivals loom large as their first opponent at the Nations Cup, while England and Uganda will give the Ferns a stern test too. Silver Ferns coach Taurua said she will wait until the outcome of the tournament before she decides her future.
"That's the big question and to be honest I'm still undecided. This is a big tournament for me just to see where I'm at, but also for the players. Is it time to move on or can I do something different and offer something of benefit?
"I'm not in the space to be able to decide that until we finish the tournament."
Dame Noeline said it would be a decision based on both results and gut feel.
"We come out here to win and that's definitely what I expect but it's also a gut thing because are we getting better with this current group? Is there growth within the group? And am I the right person?
"So there's a few things I'm working through, but the excitement's still there and the hunger and the passion."
Asked what she would consider a successful tournament, she said she'd be happy if her team made a trip to the grand final.
"I would love to get into the finals, that would be a success to some degree. Obviously winning is always on the cards. If we can chip away at the Australians that would be great."
The Diamonds are likely to provide the sternest challenge to the young Ferns side, and Taurua said her team needed to be ready to fight come Sunday morning (NZT).
"Australia's always number one because they're so good. We have to start strong and we have to be mentally in tune knowing that we have to go out and dominate. It's a big challenge for us."
SHARE ME