Editorial: Magic playing shoddy game over emails

Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic coach Noeline Taurua. Photo / Greg Bowker

Opinion

So it's the media's fault? A few days ago a Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic official claimed offensive emails sent by its coach's partner to the Herald netball writer were "extremely concerning to us and we view it very seriously".

But now the franchise is trying to blame the reporter for "triggering" the dispute.

Marketing manager Chris Buckley had promised in an email to the Herald's editor that "we will ... insist that personal attacks, emanating from the Magic franchise, desist immediately".

However, after the Herald story yesterday confirmed the team's lack of action on Eddie Goldsmith's expletive-laden emails to netball reporter Dana Johannsen, and that players had blacklisted her before the ANZ final, the Magic issued a statement putting the blame on Johannsen.

It contained no criticism or comment on the abusive emails.

Instead it tried to claim Johannsen had made factual errors in reporting on the Magic. It did not produce one alleged inaccuracy. The Magic had been asked six weeks ago, after a specific complaint it made about a netball report, to spell out factual errors for correction but it has not done so.

The statement also said criticism of coach Noeline Taurua in an article in June had been the catalyst for her husband's attacks in which he repeatedly swore at and abused Johannsen. Apparently the gentle suggestion that Taurua could be seen as a bit "kooky" was all too much.

Goldsmith, a member of the Property Institute who is based near Rotorua, is standing by his anonymously sent emails, claiming the issue was now "between his whanau" and Johannsen. In a further email to the Herald he claimed Johannsen had defamed his partner and his family were outraged at the reporting.

Buckley, who purports to be caretaker of the Magic brand, said in her email to the editor last Friday: "Noeline Taurua's current contract with the Magic ended with the season this year and we are currently in renegotiations with her.

"If we are successful in reappointing her, we will have a serious chat about her husband's alleged dialogue with the NZ Herald."

Despite in June trying to claim Taurua had not talked to Johannsen for two years, Buckley about-faced, saying "Noeline herself has been in regular talks with Dana this season so the issue doesn't appear to be driven from her".

Buckley said: "I have personally not had any dealings with Eddie Goldsmith. Nevertheless the tone of the message is extremely concerning to us and we view it seriously."

Yesterday, though, the franchise did not condemn the emails. The chairman, Peter De Luca, lamely expressed disappointment "that this happened" and tried to declare that "that is the end of the matter".

The same De Luca acknowledged to the Herald on Wednesday that he considered it inappropriate that the acting CEO, Sheryl Dawson, had not dealt with the media on the matter and instead handed it to him.

The Herald understands the Magic may already have reappointed Taurua for next season.

Magic players faced criticism yesterday from former cricket international Mark Richardson on Radio Sport who said the decision to blacklist a reporter was always counter-productive.

Netball NZ chief executive Raelene Castle told his show that Johannsen was a "fantastic reporter for netball", giving the sport an advantage that many codes would dream of. As netball became more professional it had to accept criticism. "With the good comes the bad."

The national organisation clearly understands professionalism and decency. Those currently mismanaging the Magic's dealings with its stakeholders should take heed.