October 30, 2019
 

With the introduction of apprentice roles, there will be three fresh faces involved on the coaching front with Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse for the 2020 ANZ Premiership netball season.

In building its depth of senior coaching talent by helping arm them with the appropriate game knowledge, experience, capability and desire to step up to the highest level, Netball Central has appointed Daya Wiffen (Kapiti), Renee Matoe (Manawatu) and Tash Tawhara (Wellington) as apprentice coaches with the Pulse for next season.

``There was a lot of interest in the apprentice role and we will continue to ensure performance coach opportunities are developed and implemented to build our talent pool of appropriately skilled home-grown coaches,’’ Netball Central High Performance Director Waimarama Taumaunu said.

``We’re delighted with the appointment of these three aspiring coaches, all of whom are on the Performance Coach Qualification (PCQ) pathway, New Zealand’s highest qualification.’’

During the season, each of these coaches will be assigned to support a specific area designed to grow game expertise while all three will support and help with the gathering of statistical data at home matches.

A Silver Ferns trialist, Wiffen had an extensive playing career in Wellington with the Pulse, Capital Shakers, NPC and age-group level before moving into coaching where she has been involved with Kapiti club and age-group teams.

``I’m really excited to have the opportunity of working closely with head coach Yvette (McCausland-Durie) and the rest of the coaching team next year which can only enhance my knowledge across the board in all facets of coaching,’’ Wiffen said.

``I think that other regions will be caught by surprise when they see the rise of great coaching and netball success in the region, and it will be down to the effort Netball Central Zone have all put in to get this programme up and running.’’

Matoe is head of the netball programme at Manukura school, achieving consistent success at the Lower North Island and New Zealand Secondary Schools tournaments as head coach in recent years. As a player, Matoe was an age-group representative while being a key cog for the Central Manawa team in the Beko league in 2016 and 2017.

``I am excited and feel very privileged to be amongst the top coaches in the country,’’ Matoe said. ``I am looking forward to learning more and stepping out of my comfort zone.’’

Tawhara has been a consistently successful coach with Wellington school, club and age-group teams as well as Ikaroa Ki Te Tonga age-group teams and a variety of men’s teams in recent years.

``I am absolutely delighted at the appointment and looking forward to being part of this elite platform,’’ she said. ``I cannot wait to get started on this new journey.’’

Defending champions, the Pulse will officially be back together from November 1 to start their preparations for next year’s campaign.

Ends


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