Sunshine Coast Lightning coach Noeline Taurua will part ways with the franchise at season's end, announcing that her third season in charge will be her last.
Taurua, who led the Lightning to back-to-back Suncorp Super Netball premierships in 2017 and 2018 and has the team sitting atop the ladder with one round remaining this season, announced in a media conference this morning that she will step down and return to New Zealand.
Lightning assistant coach Kylee Byrne, who has served under Taurua for the past three seasons, will take over as head coach in 2020.
Taurua cited family as the reason behind her decision to end her tenure, saying it was the right time to step down.
“For family reasons, I have made the difficult decision that it is time for me to step back from full-time coaching duties at Lightning and return home to New Zealand," Taurua said.
"My family and I have had the most amazing time living on the Sunshine Coast and being part of the Lightning family, but now feels like the right time."
“I am equally proud and filled with confidence with the promotion of my coaching partner over the past three years, Kylee Byrne, to the head coaching position and have full belief in what she can continue to achieve at this club.”
“I am truly honoured and thankful to Lightning, our wonderful family of sponsors and the Sunshine Coast community."
Taurua came to the Lightning as one of New Zealand's most successful coaches, having led the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic to the finals in six consecutive seasons in the old trans-Tasman competition, winning a premiership in 2012.
She was appointed as New Zealand's national coach in the wake of the Silver Ferns' disappointing 2018 Commonwealth Games campaign, transforming the team in just 12 months and claiming gold at the recent World Cup.
Lightning CEO Danielle Smith thanked Taurua for her enormous contribution in establishing the Lightning as a Super Netball force.
“On behalf of everyone at Sunshine Coast Lightning, I first and foremost want to thank Noeline for her personal contribution to this club, as a coach and as a person” Smith said.
“As Lightning’s inaugural coach she played a pivotal role in shaping the foundations of our club and will always remain part of the Lightning family.
“We wish her the very best in the next chapter of her coaching career.”
Byrne said she was excited to be leading the Lightning into the next phase of their development.
“Working so closely with Noeline over the past three seasons has been an honour and an opportunity that I will be eternally grateful for,” Byrne said.
“We are a better place and better people from having Noels with us, but now wish her every happiness in the next phase of her life.
“We still have work to do but there will a little bit of extra motivation this year to finish the job.
“While next season is still a while away, I can’t wait to build on what we have started and feel privileged to be endorsed as Head Coach of Sunshine Coast Lightning moving forward.”
