Former Adelaide Lightning coach Nat Hurst has been appointed as the Tall Ferns' new head coach.
Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) confirmed the Tall Ferns coaching staff on Saturday, bringing together decades of expertise and leadership, with celebrated former Australian Opal Hurst taking charge.
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A playing career that saw her represent Australia, alongside winning seven WNBL titles with Canberra, and a professional stint in Europe has set her up perfectly for this next chapter of her coaching career.
Hurst moved into coaching in 2020, serving as an assistant coach under Chris Lucas with the Adelaide Lightning set up, before succeeding Lucas as the team’s head coach, a position she held until December, 2024.
Hurst was announced as the interim Tall Ferns head coach in July last year, taking the team on a tour of Japan before leading them into the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup Pre-Aualifiers in August.
“I am both humbled and excited to be named the head coach of the Tall Ferns.
This is a significant opportunity to contribute to the growth of women’s basketball in New Zealand," Hurst said.
"I’m eager to work with such a talented group of athletes who are passionate about the game and committed to excellence. Additionally, I look forward to collaborating closely with the management team and support staff to ensure we create an environment that fosters development, unity, and success.
"My focus will be on supporting the players, building on the team’s legacy, and driving the Tall Ferns toward new achievements in the upcoming qualifying period and beyond.”
Joining Hurst will be assistant coaches Mel Bennett and Kerryn Mitchell.
Bennett has dedicated her career to growing the game in New Zealand, serving as head coach of the Tauranga Whai during the first two Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa seasons before making the move south to assist Tania Tupu at the Tokomanawa Queens in 2024.
Bennett was also head coach of the Junior Tall Ferns from 2021-2024 and was recently named Auckland Basketball’s community officer, reflecting her deep commitment to basketball development both on and off the court.
Mitchell also joins the Tall Ferns coaching roster with valuable experience in NBL1 and international basketball.
Most recently, she was head coach of the Sandringham Sabres and has previously served as an assistant coach with the Southside Flyers.
Mitchell also contributed to the Tall Ferns programme as an assistant coach during the FIBA Women's World Cup Pre-Qualifiers in Mexico last year.
The new coaching staff's first test will be the three-game Trans-Tasman Throwdown series against the Opals from May 7-11, with game three in Hamilton.