New Zealand netball review into Commonwealth Games disaster
It was as shocking as Australia’s upset loss to England in the battle for Commonwealth Games netball gold - New Zealand’s non-appearance on the medal podium.
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IT was as shocking as Australia’s upset loss to England in the battle for Commonwealth Games netball gold — New Zealand’s non-appearance on the medal podium.
Just days after the Games disaster, New Zealand netball has announced it will investigate what happened in a review.
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While England won gold and Australia silver, New Zealand missed out altogether when beaten by Jamaica for the bronze.
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They were also beaten by Malawi, whose jubilant celebrations captured the imagination of the sporting world.
It was the first time in history New Zealand had failed to win either a gold or silver medal at the Games.
“For a team with the proud history of the Silver Ferns, fourth is not good enough,’’ said Netball New Zealand chief Jennie Wyllie.
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“ We accept that this is the latest loss in a series of performances that were far from the best we have come to expect from one of New Zealand’s leading sports teams.
“Netball New Zealand will be holding a review, with the findings to be presented to the Netball New Zealand Board in early June.
“This review will be a comprehensive process lead by an independent expert.’’
Netballers have been sent on a mandatory two week break in the wake of the Games with the review to begin on their return.
““We will leave no stone unturned in the review. Without pre-empting the findings, we do not believe responsibility rests on any one person, or event. There are usually a range of factors in sport as to why a team isn’t performing at the expected level,’’ Wyllie said.
“Netball New Zealand has a long and proud history of success at the highest level of national and international sport, and we have hugely talented young players.
“We are committed to resolving any issues that are identified in the review to ensure our Silver Ferns are once again at the top of the world in netball.’’