By JULIE ASH
Last year, Yvonne Willering could not have been happier with the Silver Ferns' draw for the Commonwealth Games.
Pooled alongside England, Sri Lanka, Wales and Canada, the side were almost assured of a playoff spot, Willering, then the Silver Ferns' coach, thought.
But now, as assistant coach of Fiji, Willering is a little concerned with her new side's draw.
"We have South Africa, Barbados, Australia and Jamaica," she said, "so I am not so happy with Fiji's pool."
Willering has teamed up with former Australian and New South Wales coach Margaret Corbett to guide Fiji through to the Games in Manchester starting in July.
They replace former Fiji coach Frances Granger.
Fiji contacted Willering last December, immediately after her surprise axing by Netball New Zealand, and asked if she would help them to prepare for the Games.
"I enjoy their enthusiasm and commitment," she said. "It is not easy for them to get together and train, but they have that natural skill and flair."
Her appointment as assistant coach was announced only yesterday, ending months of speculation about where Willering would end up.
"It wasn't a case of choosing Fiji," she said. "I had been involved in their preparation and their development, and it was just the challenge of it. I think as a coach you always long for a team."
South Africa were the last international side Willering helped to coach and they went on to beat the Silver Ferns to a place in the final of the 1995 world championships.
"'I have been watching the National Bank Cup but it has been hard not being a selector," she said.
Willering became the Silver Ferns' coach in 1997 after one of the most successful provincial coaching careers in the country's history.
As New Zealand coach, Willering had an international record of 39 wins, one draw and 11 losses.
The victories included four in 14 encounters against Australia.
"I was concerned how I would feel seeing the Silver Ferns in action [at the Games] but I would like to think I am professional," she said.
"I'll always follow the Silver Ferns and some of the players, but my focus now is on Fiji."
Willering played for the Silver Ferns from 1974 to 1983 before taking over as Auckland coach.
Under Willering, Auckland were virtually unbeatable in the national provincial championship, winning 10 consecutive titles from 1986 to 1995.
And she guided the Collegiate club to won four national club titles.
In 1995, Willering crossed the bridge to North Harbour, dragging the union from obscurity to win the national title in great style.
Netball: Fiji sign Willering as assistant coach
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