Netball coaches upset at changes

Press, 10 November 1986, Page 40

Netball coaches upset at changes

PA Wellington New Zealand’s netball coach, Lois Muir, yesterday explained why so many top coaches and officials are upset the national tournament first grade has been revamped. The first grade changes were the talking point at Saturday’s New Zealand Netball Association annual meeting in Wellington. First grade teams at next year’s national tournament in Invercargill will, play eight, not five matches, and most matches will last 40 minutes, not an hour as has been the tradition. “I feel the decision was a retrograde one, a backward step for New Zealand netball,” Mrs Muir said.

“It means the players will face a very demanding schedule “One of the worst aspects is that teams will now have to prepare for 40-minute and one-hour games. The two are totally different. We should be looking ahead to international level for our top netballers, not expecting them to revert back to 40-minute games.” Mrs Muir said many associations wanted their teams to take on top sides such as Auckland and Wellington but had only gone half the way. “The way the first grade has been revised, they want to take on the top teams, but only over 40 minutes so they won’t be too heavily disgraced,” said Mrs Muir.