“IT is such an honour to represent your country and the Netball World Cup is the pinnacle event for netball. “I want to enjoy every moment.”

IN her first Netball World Cup as head coach of the Silver Ferns Noeline Taurua has plenty to be excited about, boasting a relatively new line-up filled with both experience and youth. Taurua is no stranger to the big stage having played 34 caps for the Silver Ferns. She has proven that she has what it takes to coach a side to victory claiming back to back premierships with the Sunshine Coast Lightning in the Suncorp Super Netball league and this will be no different with the star coach absorbing every moment she can.

“I am just excited to be at the Netball World Cup, as head coach I want to lead this team in a strong campaign, but a campaign that also takes time to enjoy the moments, and treasure our opportunities, to represent your country on the world stage, there is nothing like the World Cup,” she said.

With new combinations to test out and a tactical mind that many coaches envy Taurua has a plethora of stars to choose from with the likes of Laura Langman returning to international duties along with fellow seasoned campaigners Maria Folau, Katrina Rore and Casey Kopua.

“I think I am most excited to see how the different combinations are going to step up, and how with each combination it adds another string to our bow,” Taurua said. “Whether it’s a Casey (Kopua) and Jane (Watson), or Ameliaranne (Ekenasio) and Bailey (Mes) or a Laura (Langman) and Gina (Crampton) combination,” she said.

Both Langman and Folau have played in the SSN this season providing them with further experience up against some of the best in the world such as South African Karla Pretorius and Aussie Diamond Courtney Bruce while many of the other players selected in the side tested their trade in the ANZ Premiership competition that oozes plenty of skill and physicality. When asked about the impact of playing in the Australian league Taurua noted the impact on Folau and Langman’s game play but also highlighted the influence of the ANZ Premiership.

“I think it has worked well for them, but I am aware the ANZ Premiership has also had a strong impact on the rest of the teams game play and preparation,” she said.

Coaching in the Suncorp Super Netball has also broadened Taurua’s knowledge and understanding of the game with the 51-year-old exposed to a wealth of different players and nationalities.

“I have had the opportunity in SSN to coach a number of athletes from different nationalities, I think there is so much to learn from the many athletes I have had the privilege to coach and it can only be beneficial to learn more as a head coach,” she said.

“I think the best thing about coaching, is the people, so whether it’s the Ferns or the Lightning I count a privilege to be doing the thing I love,” she said.

The Silver Ferns have had plenty of time to prepare for the upcoming World Cup participating in the Cadbury Series allowing Taurua to test out different combinations against quality opponents.

“I think it was a great build up,” Taurua said. “The All Stars, then NZ Mens invitational side and Fiji all offered something different for our team to play against. “We were very pleased with the Cadbury series as an overall event.”

Despite from the Cadbury Series the Ferns have been put through their paces in hope to drill in some last minute match fitness and iron out any kinks in their armour.

“We had a week on the Gold Coast, the Cadbury Series and then a week in Colchester in the UK, I couldn’t have asked for better preparation,” Taurua said. “Other than as a coach you would always like more time with your athletes.”

While Taurua did not reveal what she believes will be the biggest surprise to come out of the World Cup the Silver Ferns coach is looking forward to the unknown and “enjoys the opportunity to see new talent shine at [the] event”.