Kelly Jackson is the sole survivor of the 2018 Commonwealth Games debacle.
Photo: Marty Melville
Taini Jamison Trophy – NZ v South Africa
7.40pm, Sunday, 21 September
Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Last time the Silver Ferns were under so much scrutiny, defender Kelly Jackson was just a rookie in the team.
Last week, the sport was rocked, when Netball NZ stood down coach Dame Noeline Taurua and her assistant coaches for the series against South Africa, saying discussions over proposed changes to the high-performance programme and environment had not been resolved.
The national body appointed an interim coaching team for the three-test series, which starts Sunday.
After the Silver Ferns failed to medal at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, a review followed and coach Janine Southby stepped down from the role.
Jackson is the only current Silver Ferns player who was part of that campaign.
“I was around in the 2018 Commonwealth Games, after that debacle, but it’s definitely been a tough period for our team,” she said. “As a leadership group, it’s been our job to bring the team together and narrow our focus onto the games this week.
“Ultimately, our job is to go out there and win.”
The most unpleasant aspect of the 2018 Commonwealth Games aftermath was the level of backlash Southby had to endure from the sporting public.
Dame Noeline pulled off an extraordinary feat when she took over and, just 11 months later, the Silver Ferns won the 2019 World Cup. She was seen as a saviour and the players raved about her.
Extraordinarily, seven years later, Netball NZ finds itself facing another coaching crisis. RNZ understands the issues stem back to the team’s nine-day training camp in Sydney earlier this year.
Following the tour, two players approached the NZ Netball Players’ Association on behalf of a larger group of up to seven players, who raised concerns about Taurua’s leadership and communication style.
Players alleged the environment had become “psychologically unsafe”, describing a culture in which some feared raising issues directly with the head coach.
This time, the vast majority of netball fans appear to be angry at the players, who complained about the popular coach.
Jackson said it was important it did not turn into a witch-hunt.
“I think everyone within this environment and outside of this environment just wants to see this team succeed,” she said. “It’s unfortunate that there’s a lot of speculation, but that’s just part and parcel, I guess, part of the job.
“For me personally, I’ve just tried to do my best at blocking all that unhelpful noise out and, as a team, we’ve been trying to do the same, because ultimately, we’re the ones that know what’s going on behind closed doors and we don’t have much control about what’s been said outside of this space.”
Netball NZ said discussions were still ongoing with Dame Noeline.
Jackson did not want to publicly take a stance either way, given how delicate the situation was.
“There’s still a lot going on behind closed doors that we, as players, don’t even know about.”
Kelly Jackson and Central Pulse coach Yvette McCausland-Durie in 2023.
Photo: Alan Lee / www.photosport.nz
Former title-winning Pulse coach Yvette McCausland-Durie answered the SOS to come in as interim coach for the series. Jackson knew her well from her time at the Pulse and said she had been phenomenal.
“I don’t think there’s anyone else who would have been able to come in and do as good a job as her. She’s very cool, calm and collected, and that’s exactly what we’ve needed during this time.”
Despite all that had unfolded, the 28-year-old said the team were united.
“Once we finally got out on court, you saw the smiles, the weight lifted off our shoulders, because this is what our job is – to go out there and play netball – and this is where we find our joy.”
Dame Noeline was expected to announce a new captain before the series, with Ameliaranne Ekenasio making herself unavailable for the 2025 test window.
Instead, a matchday captain and vice-captain would be selected from the squad throughout the series.
Jackson, Karin Burger, Kate Heffernan and Grace Nweke made up the leadership group that could fill those captaincy roles.
With 72 test caps to her name, Jackson was now the most experienced Silver Fern and said she loved leading within the group.
“As a four, we are a really solid leadership group,” she said. “We’ve got experience behind us and cover a lot of positions on court, so really looking forward to leading with that group of girls.”
Nearly 11 months have passed since the Silver Ferns last played, beating Australia 3-1 to win the Constellation Cup for just the third time.
Playing South Africa was an important part of their build-up to next year’s Commonwealth Games.
“This is huge,” Jackson said. “We haven’t played in a while, but really looking forward to pulling on the black dress again.
“It’s a special occasion every time you get to do it. Coming up against South Africa, we haven’t played them since the last World Cup, so it’s going to be a fun contest.”
Young defenders Catherine Hall and Carys Stythe were in line for debuts, and Jackson said she had enjoyed working with them and the pair had quickly slotted into the environment.
Jackson didn’t feel the current drama put them under any more pressure than normal to perform.
“There would still be the pressure to win,” she said. “We didn’t win the Taini Jamison last year and, every time you go out to play in the black dress, there’s pressure on you to perform.
“I think it’s no different.”
The first test of the Taini Jamison series starts at 7.40pm Sunday at Auckland’s Eventfinda Stadium.
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