Departing Sunshine Coast Lightning coach Noeline Taurua would cringe if she knew what was being said about her.
Empathy, tactical acumen, authenticity and, above all, humility are just some of the prized qualities the respected New Zealand coach has extolled during her three-year stint in Australia.
It’s those pillars that are expected to endure as her legacy to Australian netball long after Taurua hands over the reins to her assistant Kylee Byrne.
“Lightning and Noels are the one thing,” Sunshine Coast midcourter Maddy McAuliffe said. “She was part of the set-up and so much of her is part of our values that will last forever.”
McAuliffe embodies what Taurua has given to the sport in this country.
The wing defence was nearing completion of her first degree and working part-time for a public relations company almost four years ago when she considered quitting netball.
She loved the sport, but recruiters had for a long time overlooked her potential and McAuliffe was ready to prioritise work over play.
A phone call from Taurua swept away any thoughts of a premature retirement.
“She spent about 10 minutes on the phone getting to know me. I felt like she knew more about me than any other coach I’d had, and she hadn’t even agreed to have me on the team yet,” McAuliffe said.
That empathic communication style helped the New Zealand coach build relationships and navigate the nuances and potential conflicts faced by an international coach weaving her way through the Australian system.
It speaks volumes for Taurua that she took last year’s Commonwealth Games flops the Silver Ferns to a world title and Australians applauded.
“She connects with people and allows them to take centre stage. There’s no chest thumping,” commentator and former Australian captain Anne Sargeant said.
“She has an ability to harness people.”
Taurua had a desk, a bag of balls and not much else when she commenced the job as head coach of one of Australia’s newest professional sporting clubs at the end of 2016.
She will depart after inspiring the expansion club to two premierships and potentially a third as the Lightning tapers towards a third straight grand final appearance.
Under Taurua’s watch, McAuliffe, Laura Scherian and Cara Koenen proved themselves as elite players.
Kelsey Browne became a Diamond, Steph Wood played her best netball and internationals Laura Langman, Caitlin Bassett, Karla Pretorius, Peace Proscovia and Phumza Maweni performed harmoniously within the team structure.
“You leave a piece of yourself behind and I’ve enjoyed it so much being with the people here,” Taurua said.
“I’m happy but very proud about what I’ve been able to contribute to the club and the team.”
Perhaps her greatest legacy was left to Byrne who has served Queensland and Australian netball for more than a decade in a slow-boiling apprenticeship.
The Australian under-21 coach and former Firebirds assistant joked that she was under no pressure to extend the club’s winning streak.
If she was, she would be better prepared for having worked beside Taurua.
“It’s hard to put into words (her legacy) because … you’d be here for an hour,” Byrne said.
“She’s extremely smart, she’s a tactician. She goes to places I’ve never seen another coach go.
“Noels is very strong that anyone who came to the club was a better netballer and a better person when they left, and she’s ticked that box in so many ways.”
