KEY POINTS:
Former Silver Ferns player and coach Yvonne Willering has been named coach of the Greater Auckland Netball team for the inaugural Tasman Trophy next year.
"It's an extreme honour to have been named as Coach, of what I know will be a very competitive team," she said.
"This has been a comprehensive selection process - I've met with members of the new Board and appreciate the professional approach taken to this new venture."
Earlier this year Willering took the Northern Force to the final of the National Bank Cup for the second time - losing by one goal in the final to the Southern Sting.
Spokesperson for the newly created Board, Shirley Hooper, said: "We were very fortunate to have several exceptionally talented coaches applying for this role.
"Ultimately it came down to who we believed would give us the best chance of winning - competing not only against NZ teams, but our ultimate foes, the Australians.
"Many people think of Yvonne as the Force coach, but she has a long association with Auckland Netball, and already does a great deal for all three of our regional shareholders."
