Gibbs new netball coach

Press, 2 December 1987, Page 76

Gibbs new netball coach

Leigh Gibbs will base her ideas and philosophies strongly on her experience under the New Zealand netball coach, Lois Muir, when she takes over as the coach of the Canterbury team for next season.

Gibbs, who captained the New Zealand team to victory at the world championships in Glasgow during August, was appointed coach at a Canterbury Netball Association executive meeting last evening ahead of Etbna Rouse.

“Most of my ideas will be influenced by Lois combined with my own input.** Gibbs was the playercoach for the Sacred Heart Swiss Maid team last season but her selection may spell the end of her playing career. “It will be unlikely that I will play because I would like to use the Swiss Maid league as a trial for my ideas for the Canterbury team, and it will be good to be able to assess the game without the pressure of playing,” she said.

Gibbs had indicated that she was interested in umpiring rather than coaching but the opportunity was too tempting.

“I still have to sit the practical test to qualify for my New Zealand umpiring award and I could not get that in time to go to next year’s nationals. I may find coaching more attractive but I will kill two birds with one stone because I can umpire at the same time,” she said. Gibbs was prompted to try for the coaching position when she heard that Kay O’Reilly, her talented predecessor, was to stand down from the position. Margaret Taylor from Riccarton was appointed to coach the under-21 side ahead of Pat Carrick from St Nicholas who held the position last season. Mrs Carrick made a sound contribution to the young team and it re? corded good wins throughout the season but lost to Auckland, the eventual winners, of the national under-21 tournament in Timaru, 32-31.