Wills happy to fight for coaching role

• Published date: 26 April 2024
• Author: Nathan Limm
• Publication title: New Zealand Herald, The (Auckland, New Zealand)

Multiple outlets report Netball New Zealand have moved to acquire three franchise licences in Australia’s Super Netball competition, which would leave half of Aotearoa’s domestic sides high and dry

Both governing bodies have refused to confirm the talks.

Wills supports the merger and is refusing to stress about the potential of losing her job.

“I would absolutely compete hard for a spot and I’ve got the chops to take a team like that,” she told Newstalk ZB. “But I understand, too, that there is competition and that’s what professional sport is all about.

“We’ve got to be big girls about it, suck it up and get into it.”

If three licences were attained, they would likely be for teams based in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

That would mean the Southern Steel, Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic and Wills’ own Stars outfit are a higher chance of dropping to the National Netball League.

The former NZ Under-21s coach said Netball NZ have told the ANZ Premiership coaches “absolutely nothing” about what is going on.

“They’re playing their cards pretty close to their chest, which I think is the smart thing to do. This is probably the step I didn’t think Netball NZ were willing to take — but they are, and I think it’s amazing.”

A combined competition would allow the Silver Ferns to get regular exposure to overseas talent while maintaining their test eligibility.

Wills said...