The decision came after the coach and national body failed to reach an agreement over proposed changes in the Silver Ferns\u2019 high-performance environment.<\/p>\n
Netball NZ has since confirmed that Taurua will remain sidelined until at least the end of the year after further mediation talks following the South Africa series failed to break the deadlock.<\/p>\n
The fallout intensified this week when Sport and Recreation Minister Mark Mitchell called on Sport NZ, the parent body of HPSNZ, to step in and help settle the dispute.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s between Netball New Zealand and Dame Noeline, but what I have said is it\u2019s taking too long, it\u2019s damaging netball, all of these people are deeply passionate about the game,\u201d Mitchell told RNZ\u2019s Morning Report.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve asked [chief executive Raelene Castle] to go away and see whether or not there are any levers or any support that we can provide, whether or not there are people who can help to unlock the negotiation that is going on. I\u2019ve just said any expertise, any resource that we\u2019ve got to be able to help this thing, let\u2019s do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Minister for Sport Mark Mitchell: “It’s taking too long, it’s damaging netball.” Photo \/ Mike Scott <\/p>\n
Behind the scenes, Castle, who is also chief executive of HPSNZ, has had clear oversight of the issues for some time.<\/p>\n
As reported by RNZ last month, senior managers of HPSNZ were at the table for an 11th-hour crisis meeting on the eve of a Silver Ferns training camp, in which the proposed changes to the high-performance environment were discussed.<\/p>\n
Among the solutions put forward at the meeting was the introduction of additional player support staff for the South Africa series, including former All Blacks manager Darren Shand and Silver Ferns great Tracey Fear.<\/p>\n
According to multiple sources with knowledge of the negotiations, it was the unwillingness of the coaching staff to agree to these measures that ultimately triggered the decision to stand them down. <\/p>\n
However, sources close to the coaching staff reject these accounts and claim the coaches supported involving Shand and Fear, and co-designed a player wellbeing strategy with Netball NZ and players\u2019 association officials.<\/p>\n
The proposed changes stemmed from an independent review, funded by HPSNZ, which uncovered \u201csignificant issues\u201d within the Ferns environment.<\/p>\n
The review, described by HPSNZ as an \u201cenvironmental scan and health check\u201d, was conducted by performance consultant Bryan Stronach after concerns were raised by several players via the New Zealand Netball Players\u2019 Association.<\/p>\n
Some senior players, including former captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio, have made themselves unavailable for the Silver Ferns over the past 18 months, while others are said to be \u201changing there by a thread\u201d.<\/p>\n
Former Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
However, the findings of the review were rejected by Taurua and her coaching team, who questioned its scope and methodology.<\/p>\n
Former Silver Ferns selector Gail Parata, who resigned last month in<\/a> protest at Netball NZ\u2019s treatment of Taurua<\/a>, told RNZ that seven players were interviewed as part of the review, from a wider group of 31 playing and support staff.<\/p>\n After the national body decided to stand down the coaching staff, Shand and Fear were contracted for the Taini Jamison series, the costs of which were covered by HPSNZ.<\/p>\n In a statement, HPSNZ confirmed its role in funding the cultural review, as well as its support for player welfare initiatives. It added that the scope of Stronach, Shand and Fear\u2019s work was agreed between the respective consultants and Netball NZ, not by HPSNZ.<\/p>\n It\u2019s understood that Shand\u2019s role with the Ferns finished after the South Africa series, while Fear has remained with the team for this month\u2019s Constellation Cup, with Netball NZ now picking up the bill.<\/p>\n Since the South Africa series, the standoff between Netball NZ and Taurua<\/a> has moved into what\u2019s now described as an \u201cemployment process\u201d. As a result, HPSNZ has stepped back from active involvement.<\/p>\n