Dana Johannsen: Coach took Silver Ferns from second-best to world beaters

Ruth Aitken. Photo / Getty Images

Were it not for one goal, the farewell sentiments for Ruth Aitken could have been much grander.

Aitken is undoubtedly one of the greatest Silver Fern coaches, leading the team through their most successful decade in the sport. A world championship crown and two Commonwealth Games titles is a haul most national coaches would dream of. But her legacy has been slightly tainted by what she did not achieve - a second world title in Singapore last month.

That extra-time loss in the world championship final, a game Aitken herself will admit New Zealand should have won, will remain one of her greatest disappointments and a glaring blip on her record.

But it would be a shame if it were to overshadow what Aitken has achieved in her 10 years at the helm.

Her success should not be solely judged on her tally in the wins column.

Her longevity in the role is remarkable in itself given the more demanding nature of the international calendar and the higher profile the sport has in the media.

But arguably, her greatest achievement in the role has been her ability to grow and move the game into a truly professional era.

It was considered a bold decision by the Netball New Zealand administration of the time to appoint the relatively unheard-of Aitken to the top job. But her plans for the national programme were even bolder.

When she took over in 2001, the Silver Ferns were streets behind Australia in terms of their fitness, physical conditioning and general approach to the sport.

Within the space of 18 months, Aitken had bridged that gap, leading the Ferns to a world title.

Not only did she manage to catch Australia, but over the ensuing years she has ensured the Ferns have been able to continue to keep pace with the world-class Australian programme.

Each has enjoyed solid periods of dominance - the Ferns in 2004-2005, Australia in late 2006-2007 - but the two teams are pretty much now on level pegging.

In fact, since September 2009 the wins between the two have alternated every game.

Having achieved such equality, New Zealand fans now expect the Silver Ferns to beat Australia. And that should be Aitken's lasting legacy.