ALTHOUGH the fairytale did not end the way she would have hoped, the Silver Ferns and Sunshine Coast Lightning “brains trust” Noeline Taurua is set to leave a lasting memory after claiming two premierships with the side. Crossing the ditch to take part in the Suncorp Super Netball competition, the New Zealand coach conquered everything that came her way doing the unthinkable time and time again, getting her side to three consecutive grand finals but falling short of a three-peat on the weekend.

“There were some people that were upset but I’m hugely proud of our team, the growth of players and also our club so we’ve come a long way and for us to be able to present ourselves once again for grand final and premiership is no mean feat,” she said. “So I’m actually quite alright about it [losing], I thought I might have been a bubbling mess but I feel quite strong about the club. “I feel satisfied to be honest, yes we didn’t come out with it but you know like always people are going to learn and that’s what it’s all about.”

Despite it being her last game and losing the grand final, the Lightning coach is proud of her team for making it to their third straight grand final.

“We weren’t able to do it this year but it still sets the tone or foundation for what could possibly happen next year without the pressure,” Taurua said. “So, you know things happen for a reason and that might be what we need to do to be able to present ourselves again for grand finalists for next year.”

The former New Zealand Silver Ferns player made history coaching the Sunshine Coast to the inaugural Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final in 2017 and continued her winning ways, notching up another premiership in 2018 credit to her tactical mindset. Taurua built the club from the ground up working tirelessly to develop an environment for her players to grow and become the best they can be while imparting her words of wisdom on each and every one of them.

“I think for me, the first year was amazing knowing where we came from, not having much to start off with,” she said. “Not that we were on the back foot but we pretty much were living everyday and learning everyday. “So I suppose the pressures and challenges that went with everyday was huge, people didn’t see that. “That first grand final win or premiership was sublime for us because there were a lot of people that were involved in that and establishing the club.”

Taurua is optimistic about the future for the squad with Kylee Byrne set to take the reins and further develop the young up and coming players on the Lightning list.

“We have a really good core base of players. Great routines, great club, we will look at to keep improving as we have for the past three years,” Taurua said.

Renowned for her strategical game plan and faith in players, Taurua touted Australian shooter Cara Koenen as one to watch given her scope and development across her three year tenure at the club.

“I think the growth of certain players, you know Cara’s form, today is her first grand final,” Taurua said. “Ironically I actually feel we have laid, these two Kiwis and others, have laid the ground stone for future Diamonds, you know it’s ironic but I truly believe that. “Some of those players out there are amazing and what we have been able to do is also raise the bar and contribute to overall netball in Australia.”

Taurua hopes to leave a legacy in the Suncorp Super Netball world, with veteran and Sunshine Coast Lightning captain, Laura Langman thanking her coach for her dedication and commitment to creating such a successful culture.

“It’s been absolutely wonderful, I don’t think we could have asked for a better foundation to be laid,” Langman said. “What I love is I think probably without even knowing it she has set the level of expectation that those that are at Lightning or those who will join Lightning, that’s the bare minimum and I’m excited to see where the club will go in the future.”