Netball: Rumblings of player discontent down south

Robyn Broughton. Photo / Getty Images

The Southern Steel's new-look coaching line-up may be matched with a new-look playing roster in 2012 as rumours of a mass walkout continue to rumble in the aftermath of Robyn Broughton's departure.

The Steel last week named New Zealand under-21 coach Janine Southby and former Australian international Natalie Avellino as co-coaches of the franchise, taking over the reins from Broughton, who refused to reapply for her own position.

Broughton was last night linked with the open coaching role at the Pulse. If she were to take the post in Wellington, a number of her top Steel players would be likely to follow her.

The appointments at the Steel appear to be a good long-term move as the franchise injects fresh ideas and a new approach after 14 years of Broughton's influence.

But it seems several players are unhappy with the new coaching line-up and in particular, the appointment of Avellino.

Avellino, who was a player-coach of the Southland NPC side in 2008 and 2009, is said to have rubbed a few players up the wrong way with her non-direct approach.

It is believed there are at least two players still refusing to open the lines of communication with Steel management, who are in the process of trying to recontract the core of their existing crop of players.

However Steel chief executive Julie Paterson insisted she was unaware of disquiet among players over the coaching appointments "prior to [the Herald's] phone call".

"I have had no negative feedback from the players themselves, there has been a lot of really positive conversations around new coaches bringing fresh ideas," she said.

But such rumours are not good for the Steel, who are battling to retain talent.

Silver Ferns defender Leana de Bruin, named the joint MVP of the transtasman league, has been targeted by other teams. And with Cambridge-based de Bruin finding the commute to Invercargill tough, the Magic or Mystics could prove more attractive options.

Australian import Natasha Chokljat did not have the happiest season with the Steel and may be tempted to move back to Melbourne, while former Silver Ferns shooter Daneka Wipiiti is unlikely to re-sign with the Steel next season after making the move to Auckland with her family.

While unwilling to discuss individual cases, Paterson admitted there were some players for whom their personal circumstances would dictate whether they will return next season.

"We're still working our way through player contracting.

"Some of the players have got other circumstances that they're wanting to take into consideration and are just wanting to think that through."

The latest rumours of player disquiet are further evidence of teething problems for the Steel management's new vision.

There was already a lot of emotion around the Steel's decision to advertise Broughton's position and the subsequent fallout from that. But it seems the Steel are prepared to take a no-pain, no-gain approach in order to secure the long-term viability of the franchise.