Coaching

The National Netball League is fundamental to strengthening Netball New Zealand’s performance pathway, the development of talent, and competitiveness of Netball New Zealand’s elite teams.

Central Manawa National Netball League programme

The NCZ Central Manawa programme is a periodised, performance netball programme that runs from a pre-season start in September to the end of competition in June the following year. This programme is led, developed and implemented by NCZ. 

The programme commences with a selection of a wider training squad from NCZ Super Zone club competition and centre nominations of appropriately skilled players to attend a one-day screening session. 

The programme will commence with a selection process led by NCZ Head of Selectors, Aroha Marsh with NCZ High Performance Director, Waimarama Taumaunu, Performance Manager, Pelesa Semu and in consultation with Central Pulse Head Coach, Yvette McCausland-Durie and Central Manawa Beko Head Coach, Anna Andrews-Tasola.

At this session NCZ selectors will decide which athletes will participate in the Central Manawa pre-season training programme.  All participating athletes will receive a completed NCZ player profile detailing their achievement against NNZ standards.  

Successful athletes will form the Central Manawa pre-season wider training squad.   These athletes will be provided strength and conditioning programmes and individualised support to help them prepare for Central Manawa trials.  Monitoring of the Central Manawa wider training squad will occur at regular intervals during the pre-season from September to January.

At any time during the pre-season and before the final Central Manawa trial players may be added and/or de-selected.  Performance, potential and attitude will all be considered when making decisions about selection and de-selection.

Following Central Manawa trials, a training squad of approximately 16 players will be named and these athletes will embark upon a weekly training regime comprising at least 2 netball practices, 2 supervised conditioning sessions, 2 supervised strength sessions and a minimum of 60 minutes of game play per week.  Netball practices will take place in Wellington, so athletes must be prepared to travel to and from every practice or re-locate.

Central Manawa players and staff will play a stronger role in Pulse succession planning over the next three years.  Player selections will continue to prioritise Pulse potential as a selection criterion and the programme will continue to strive to produce one contracted player per year.  Coaching and management staff will be appointed with a view to growing the pool of Pulse ready coaches and managers in the Zone.

We will also explore what playing and other netball opportunities we could offer to Central Manawa players who do not achieve a Pulse contract in any given year.  We are mindful that each year we have lost Central Manawa players to other franchises because we have re-signed the majority of our youthful Pulse team and therefore have not had contract openings for the next tier of talented players in our Zone.  Such opportunities would include, but not be limited to, increasing the number of training partners, having 12 on the bench at all home games and participation in pre-season competition.    

Central Manawa

National Netball League 

The NCZ Central Manawa programme is a periodised, performance netball programme that runs from a pre-season start in September to the end of competition in July the following year. This programme is led, developed and implemented by NCZ. 

The programme commences with the selection of a wider training squad from NCZ Centre club competitions and Centre nominations of appropriately skilled players, who participate in the Central Manawa pre-season training programme.  Players are selected through a variety of mechanisms –

• Observations by the Head of Selectors take place at NCZ Open tournaments;
• Observations also take place in players local competitions;
• Centres may nominate players to the squad;
• Current squad members who wish to play NNL in the following year, are automatically included;
• Any player who has recently arrived in our Zone for employment and/or education reasons, may also be included.

These athletes are provided strength and conditioning programmes and individualised support to help them prepare for Central Manawa trials in the New Year.  Monitoring of the Central Manawa wider training squad occurs at regular intervals during the pre-season from September to January.

At any time during the pre-season and before the final Central Manawa trial players may be added and/or de-selected.  Performance, potential and attitude will all be considered when making decisions about selection and de-selection.

The final Central Manawa squad is selected at a trial day in January and announced within one week of selection.  All squad athletes receive a completed NCZ player profile detailing their achievement against NNZ standards. 

The Central Manawa training squad will comprise approximately 16 players and these athletes will embark upon a weekly training regime comprising at least 2 netball practices, 2 supervised conditioning sessions, 2 supervised strength sessions and a minimum of 60 minutes of game play per week.  Netball practices will take place in Wellington, so athletes must be prepared to travel to and from every practice or re-locate.

Each athlete completes an individual performance plan (IPP), which reflects her on and off court needs.  We use this plan to assist the athlete to enhance both her life and netball performances. Standards are measured and monitored against NNZ national performance guidelines and protocols including recommendations around load management for younger athletes.

Central Manawa players and staff are part of the Pulse succession planning.  Player selections prioritise Pulse potential as a selection criterion and the programme strives to produce one contracted player per year.  Coaching and management staff are appointed with a view to growing the pool of Pulse ready coaches and managers in the Zone.  We are also mindful that succession takes place over time and so we aim to retain at least half of our squad from year to year.

We also explore other playing and netball opportunities we could offer to Central Manawa players who do not achieve a Pulse contract in any given year.  We are mindful that each year we have lost Central Manawa players to other franchises because we have re-signed most of our youthful Pulse team and therefore have not had contract openings for the next tier of talented players in our Zone.  Such opportunities would include, but not be limited to, increasing the number of training partners, having 12 on the bench at all home games and participation in pre-season competition.   

Vision

To maintain our position as the pre-eminent netball zone in the country over the next four years by continuing to achieve consistent and regular success at every level of the game, from international campaigns to domestic age group tournaments. 

Guiding Principles

Netball Central Zone's (NCZ) approach to performance development is player centred, coach lead and system wide. 

We believe that a world class netballer comprises four essential elements – hauora, physical, technical and tactical; and our performance system reflects our commitment to the development of the whole person, not just the netball player. 

Our promise to every netballer who enters our high performance system at any level is simple – you will emerge a better player and enjoy a range of netball experiences.  We tailor approaches to the needs of the individual; we deliver excellent coaching to all our players; and we undertake multiple community engagements to keep our netballers grounded in their communities and respectful of the wider team behind them.

Our promise to our Zone netball whanau is that our system will produce young women whose on and off court exploits will make us all proud.  And in this way, NCZ aims to deliver a high performance system that produces future Silver Ferns, who win as Pulse players, and who connect and inspire our Zone through their activities on and off the court. 

Figure 1.  Essential Elements of a Silver Fern

Staff

With the support of our Centres, Netball Central Zone manages the delivery of a variety of coach development opportunities. These include formal and informal workshops suitable for coaches at all levels.

Click here to view our Calendar

Netball New Zealand Community Coach Workshops

To register for a coaching workshop please use the appropriate link below.

Community Netball

• 82 Netball New Zealand Coach Developing Modules were run this year around the zone with the total of 710 coaches attending the modules in total.  71 coaches have gained their CCA award this year (14 coaches had completed the required modules in late 2014 but were registered in 2015).  Another 12 coaches have completed the required modules but have yet to apply
• 11 coaches on the Performance Coach Programme were significant contributors in the running of the Central Pulse trials in August, and a number have lead components of the Zone Talent Development days.
• Special thanks to Central Zone’s independent Coach Developers for their contribution this year … Karen Bevan, Lindsay Filiata, Tania Lister, Lisa Murphy, Tash Rowlands, Valerie Sampson, and Ivy Topping.  Currently Karen, Lindsay, and Tash are attending a series of coach developer training workshops run by Sport Wellington.
• Congratulations to the following Zone and Centre staff for becoming Netball New Zealand accredited Coach Developers… Denise Aiolupotea (Hawke’s Bay Netball) , Sandra Edge (NCZ) Maria Hegarty (Netball Wellington Centre) ,  Parekura Muraahi (Netball Wanganui) ,  Ann Rodgers (Netball Taranaki).  
• 34 coaches observed the Silver Ferns during practice prior to the test against Fiji in July.  Waimarama and Vicki were available for a Q n A which was appreciated by all.
• Performance Coach Programme coaches Lindsay Filiata, Tash Rowlands, Lee-Anne Taylor, Lisa Tod  have attended the NNZ Advanced modules
• 172 coaches attended other Coach Development Workshops throughout the Zone facilitated by Yvonne Willering, Tania Karauria, and Belinda Colling.
• A highlight for the year was ‘Keeping it Current – a weekend of workshops’ held in September in Wellington.  50 coaches from around the zone attended throughout the weekend and were fortunate to learn from the likes of leading netball coaches including Waimarama Taumaunu, Adrienne Morrin, Te Aroha Keenan, Leigh Gibbs, Kirsten Hellier, and Tanya Dearns.  TGfU guru Dennis Slade, HPSNZ Strength and Conditioner Simon Chatterton, Wellington Blaze cricket coach Mark Borthwick and tennis legend Belinda Cordwell also contributed hugely to a memorable weekend.

Horowhenua CCA Team: Over two weekends  ten coaches from Netball Horowhenua completed the five CCA Modules.  Pictured are… Dawn Benefield, Kirsten Brown, Kim Cook, Ada Graham, Leanne Harrison,  Sarah Ryan, Kushla Laursen, Natalie Martin, Joanna Thompson, and Robyn Wills

Belinda Colling had a big weekend in the Zone in March. Belinda ran four sessions in Palmerston North and Wellington. Here  Belinda works with a group of secondary school  players (they are there) whilst the 46 coaches attending look on gaining many useful ideas to apply to their coaching.

Ann Rodgers and her Taranaki CCA team get the season under way. Pictured after day one are Ann Rodgers, Joanne Hill, Christine McCullum, Moanna Manu, Mel Scott, Michelle Martin, Patricia O’Carroll-Leota, and Joan Hodson

Former NZ Secondary school’s coach and Former Auckland Diamonds Head Coach Tania Karauria share her knowledge with 23 Hawkes Bay Year 5-8 coaches on what it takes to run a successful season programme (March 2015)

Keeping it Current

In September just prior to the National Championships over 50 coaches attended  the ‘Keeping it Current’ – a weekend of workshops held in Wellington.

Experience the excitement as we embark on a journey to shape the future of netball with futureFERNS! The Zone is dedicated to supporting all Netball Centres in the implementation of the futureFERNS program across various levels. From the youngest players in Year 1 & 2, progressing through to Year 3 & 4, and advancing to Year 5 & 6, we're committed to nurturing a love for the game.

Our approach involves providing essential support to our Centres through engaging taster sessions, informative workshops, and vibrant festivals. These activities not only captivate participants and parents but also contribute to the development of Junior Coordinators, Star Helpers (Year 1 & 2 Coaches), Year 3 & 4 Coaches, and Year 5 & 6 Coaches.

Join us in the pursuit of creating skilled players who genuinely love the game. With futureFERNS, expect more passing, catching, and attempts at goals. Be a part of the futureFERNS movement, where we are not just shaping skilled players but also fostering a deep love for the game!"

Netball Central Zone is inviting nominations from the Central Zone lead centres for their players to attend the NCZ U23 Trails.

Trails will take place on Sunday 19 April 10am-1pm at B&M Centre, Arena Manawatu.

Nominations will close on Friday 10 April at 5pm. Please click below to download a nomination form.

U23 Trials Nomination Form - Editable