Dana Johannsen: Champs mark a milestone for Aitken

Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken is intensely focused on the World Championships campaign, not stopping to think about her future. Photo / Mark Mitchell

She would rather not know about it, but Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken will rack up a significant career milestone during next month's world championships.

In the Ferns' third game of the tournament against Wales, a side ranked No 13 in the world, Aitken will equal legendary coach Dame Lois Muir's record of 107 tests in charge of the national team.

Should New Zealand reach the quarter-finals - and if they miss out you would have to say Aitken's 107th test will almost certainly be her last - Aitken will become the most capped New Zealand coach.

Just don't mention that to her right now.

"Oh gosh, I have to tell you, my head is not really into this. It is lovely, but I must admit my focus is elsewhere," she said.

When gently pushed, Aitken admits that to match the record of one of New Zealand's coaching greats in any code is a special achievement.

"It probably snuck up on me really, and certainly way back when I was appointed I never expected I'd ever get to this stage. But yeah, I am very proud of still being here," she chuckled.

While Aitken is joking, to maintain her position in the hot-seat for 10 years is an impressive achievement, particularly in an era when the glare of the media spotlight is more intense than ever and there is increased pressure from a demanding New Zealand public who don't tolerate losses. Although she is quick to point out "it hasn't been 10 years yet - it's still only nine and a half".

It's an important distinction for Aitken to make, for she still has much she wants to achieve before she can even contemplate reflecting back on her career.

Her focus is on steering her side to a world title and in the process to achieve a rare netball double - back-to-back gold following last year's heart-stopping victory at the Delhi Commonwealth Games.

The Silver Ferns leave for Singapore on Monday and Aitken, who will be attending her third world championships, said the challenge did not get any less exciting.

"You probably just go in with your eyes open a little bit more. I know the good and the bad that can come of it. But it is such a special occasion and it only comes round every four years, so I feel amazingly blessed."

As well as being reluctant to reflect on her career thus far in the midst of such a big campaign, Aitken is also unwilling to look too far into the future and discuss her post-world championship plans.

Her contract runs through to September 30, and she said once she gets back from the tournament she will put her feet up and make some decisions over her future.

At this point Netball New Zealand will also conduct a full review of the campaign and the high performance programme in general.

It's a stance that Dame Lois, Aitken's long-time mentor, supports.

"No one ever wants to talk about retiring before a world championships. You've still got a job to do and you've got to keep focused and I think it is very important that she is doing that."

Dame Lois said she would not be at all disappointed to see her record go in just under two weeks. Besides, with a career that spanned 15 years, she can still lay claim to being the longest-serving and most successful Silver Ferns coach, with just 10 losses during that time.

In the eyes of the public, the success of the Ferns' 2011 World Championships campaign could determine how Aitken's tenure is remembered.

For Netball New Zealand chief executive Raelene Castle there is no question.

"Whenever she decides to hang up her coaching whistle she will be remembered alongside Lois as two of the most successful coaches ever."

Castle believes what sets Aitken apart is her people management skills.

"She is so assured and confident in her own abilities as coach, that she is prepared to bring expertise where she knows someone else can add some value.

" And I think that is what has kept the programme interesting from the players' point of view, but has also allowed [Aitken] to grow and learn because she is prepared to work closely with other people.

"She is a great conductor of what, at times, is a very complicated orchestra."

Aitken admits the role has changed markedly since she first took over the reins from Yvonne Willering in 2001. She has steered the national side through a difficult transition to professionalism, ensuring she and the programme have kept pace with the evolution of the game.

But what she loves about the job hasn't altered at all.

"All that work that has to be done before you get to the court is massive. But nothing takes away from that edge-of-your-seat feeling when you're involved in a game.

"I have to say the freshness of the challenge and the excitement of having this opportunity has not waned at all."

The coach file

Ruth Aitken
Coach of the Silver Ferns since 2001

Tests: 104
Record: won 80, lost 24 (77 per cent winning record)
Major wins: 2003 world championships, 2006 Commonwealth Games gold, 2010 Commonwealth Games gold.

Dame Lois Muir
Coached the Silver Ferns from 1974-1988

Tests: 107
Record: won 91, drawn 6, lost 10 (85 per cent winning record)
Major wins: 1979 world champions (shared), won the 1985 world games, 1987 world champions.