Netball: Willering signs coaching role for Cometz

Former Silver Ferns netball coach Yvonne Willering is to start a new coaching role -- with National Bank Cup franchise Counties-Manukau Cometz.

Willering was dumped as New Zealand coach in December and yesterday confirmed she'd accepted the Cometz "technical adviser" role.

She said the Cometz job was taken as a favour to old friend and netball colleague Jan Lundon.

But she warned her coaching future in New Zealand was uncertain and had not ruled out taking up one of "several overseas coaching offers".

"My love for the sport has not gone, it's just my team (the Silver Ferns) has gone," Willering said.

"This is a new challenge and a way to help out Jan without making any real long-term commitment to netball here."

Willering said any overseas coaching role she accepted would be short term.

"I have made New Zealand my home and I don't want to leave," she said.

"Any coaching role I do take will be months instead of years, and if I can do as much of it as I can from home that would be great.

"It's time now to make a decision what I'm going to do for the next 10 years of my life."

Silver Ferns trials were being held in Auckland today and Willering admitted she was finding it difficult being out of the loop.

Lundon has taken over the reins at the Cometz franchise, replacing last year's coach Tabitha Beaumont.

Lundon, who coached club team Collegiate with Willering in the early 90s, said the Cometz players were overjoyed Willering agreed to lend a hand.

"It's really opened their eyes and they can now see for themselves she's not the old bag they thought they knew from the TV," she said.

"New Zealand netball was really lucky not to lose her straight after she was dropped and I'm excited about working with her again."

Lundon said Willering was in a daze after being dumped.

"She was in a type of limbo there around Christmas time, and who wouldn't be after what they put her through."

The Cometz were Coca-Cola Cup wooden spooners last year. The National Bank has taken over the competition's sponsorship. New signings Nicolette Ropati, from Northern Force, and Janine Topia, from Southern Sting, have bolstered the Cometz.

- NZPA