Marg Foster has been confirmed as Southern Steel assistant coach for the next transtasman netball championship.
Foster, the Canterbury Flames coach from 2000-2007, replaces retired Silver Fern Donna Wilkins who has decided to play for the Steel in the Tasman championship.
Foster, also a former New Zealand A
coach, said she would relish the chance to learn from successful coach Robyn Broughton.
"It's your dream assistant coaching role. Not only is her knowledge of the game impressive, I've always admired the loyalty factor the girls have for Robyn and the team culture she creates."
Foster, who led Canterbury Flames to three National Bank Cup finals against the Southern Sting, said the Steel had the firepower to win the ANZ Championship.
She lost out to Helen Mahon-Stroud for the coaching job with the Canterbury Tactix for this year's inaugural season of the transtasman championship.
"Looking at the calibre of players in the Steel, aiming for number one is simply indicative of the skill in that team - anything less would be belittling their talent," Foster said.
The 2009 Steel squad features Daneka Wipiiti, Wilkins, Julianna Naoupu, Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit, Adine Wilson, Liana Barrett-Chase, Wendy Telfer, Erika Burgess, Sheryl Scanlan, Katrina Grant and Megan Hutton.
The team expect to confirm their 12th player to replace midcourter Jenny-May Coffin who last week announced her retirement.
- NZPA
