Netball: Broughton to stay in charge of Sting

Southern Sting's heavy loss in the national netball league final has not deterred coach Robyn Broughton from taking charge again next year.

The Sting went down 39-65 to Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic in the National Bank Cup final on Friday, a result Broughton will use as motivation for 2006.

"I don't think we saw anywhere near our best on Friday. There's a lot more that can come," Broughton said.

"That's what I'm staying for ... that feeling of achievement and living for their (the players) achievement."

Keeping Broughton as coach is probably the biggest factor in keeping Sting's chances of winning another cup title alive.

She is New Zealand's most prolific national netball coach, guiding her team to every final in the competition, which began in 1998.

A big question mark lurks over whether some of the players will return.

Broughton today said she hoped her team from this year would be back in 2006.

"I hope so but there's a lot of planning to do before that comes out. We haven't even talked about it yet."

Former Silver Fern and Sting goal shoot Tania Dalton has already half admitted to not renewing her Sting contract for 2006.

For Sting's longest serving member, Donna Loffhagen, the decision may also be a difficult one.

She is about to start a nine-month season of basketball in the hope of making the Tall Ferns team for the Commonwealth Games in Australia in March.

If the opportunity to play basketball professionally in the United States arose she would have to choose between the Sting or a stint in the US.

Other players were unavailable for comment today but one was certainly eager to return.

Captain Lesley Rumball said she was keen to play again for Sting.

- nzpa