Netball: Taumaunu in hunt for Ferns coach job

Waimarama Taumaunu. Photo / Getty Images

Aspiring Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu has reaffirmed her desire for the top job after claims she had had a change of heart.

Speculation arose at the weekend that Taumaunu was having doubts after she turned down the opportunity to take over as interim coach of the Ferns for the October tests against England and Australia. The former Silver Ferns captain also declined to carry on in her present role as assistant coach for the five tests.

Like coach Ruth Aitken's, Taumaunu's contract with Netball New Zealand expires at the end of August.

The option of staying on as assistant coach was discussed, but Taumaunu decided to take some time and space to focus on applying for the head coaching job.

"I thought being [involved with the tests] would make me pretty busy and I've applied for jobs before and not put the requisite amount of time into the application - I didn't want to make that mistake again," she said.

Taumaunu admits she was also uncomfortable with the idea of filling in as head coach for the October tests as it would give the impression the top job was already as good as hers and might discourage other applicants.

"My preference is for a bit of separation and to come in to an appointment process from the same starting point as others. I felt it was a fairer process if I was as uninvolved as all the other candidates," she said.

Taumaunu is widely viewed as frontrunner for the job of head coach, many believing the appointment process to be more of a token gesture.

She appears conscious of this and removing herself from the Ferns environment should be taken as a sign that she wants to ensure the integrity of the process cannot be questioned if she succeeds - not of cold feet.

Netball NZ has called for expressions of interest to find an interim assistant coach to serve beside Aitken in the five remaining tests this year.

High performance manager Tracey Fear has contacted the coaching teams of all five local franchises inviting them to put their hand up for the role, seen as a strong development opportunity. One or more interim assistants will be named by the end of the week.

The coaching job will be advertised at week's end, interviews being held before the October series.

However, Netball NZ will not announce Aitken's successor until November so as not to distract the team during a test series.