Championship-winning Aussie coach Briony Akle has been re-appointed 'attack' specialist to the Silver Ferns for their upcoming series against England and Australia.
Akle, 46, guides NSW Swifts in the Super Netball competition, leading them to three Grand Finals, including titles in 2019 and 2021.
She joined the NZ team for their Nations Cup campaign in England in January, and will again join head coach Dame Noeline Taurua and assistant Debbie Fuller on the staff for the Taini Jamison Trophy and Constellation Cup fixtures.
"I travelled to the UK with the Ferns early this year," she said. "It was an amazing experience to be a part of such a respected and successful international environment.
"Noeline is one of the greatest coaches to have ever been involved with our game, and it will be a privilege to continue learning from her and from Debbie too.
"As a coach, I am a firm believer that the sharing of ideas and philosophies will always put you on the right path to success, because it increases critical thinking by broadening your view of the game."
Recent results and a re-appointment process seems to have convinced Taurua NZ netball has drifted too far away from our Australian rivals, with several players and coaches heading across the ditch next year to contest Super Netball.
Akle represents an example of that 'brain drain' coming the other way, after Dame Noeline served as her specialist coach on the Swifts this season.
"We've worked with Briony earlier this year, so she already has an insight into our high-performance environment with the Silver Ferns," says Netball NZ high performance head Stephen Hotter.
"She brings another eye to our programme and has a strong vision for elite athletes in the game."
The Silver Ferns' international programme this year begins against England at Auckland on September 29.
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