Wills departs netball in NZ for Australia
- editor59343
- Jul 29, 2024
- 2 min read
The domestic netball coaching ranks in New Zealand have been dealt a blow with Kiri Wills leaving the Stars for a role in Australia.
After seven seasons as a head coach in the ANZ Premiership, Wills will be the coach at Queensland Firebirds in the Super Netball competition.
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Wills joined the Stars in 2018, guiding them to three grand final appearances throughout her tenure, in 2019, 2022 and 2023.
While leaving with a heavy heart, Wills said she had loved every moment of her time with the Stars.
“I think there will be a few tears before I go. It’s been a labour of love alongside some really important players that I’ve coached throughout my career who have been with the Stars and trusted me with their careers.
“They’re the players who have never wavered and always stuck with me and the Stars and then there’s the players who have gone away and come back, who I really appreciate as well,” Wills said.
“It’s a club that means a lot to people and a place people feel they belong and they want to come to and I’m really proud of that.
“I’ve also had such amazing support from the general managers I’ve been lucky to work with, in Dianne Lasenby and Jane Bennett who have been hugely supportive and we’ve worked very hard to make this team competitive and to be representative of our community.
“I can’t wait to get over there and immerse myself in it. You sit here in New Zealand and watch the SSN and watch teams like the Firebirds and always wonder what it would be like to coach a team like that and coach in front of the crowds they have. I’m going to get that opportunity, which is really exciting.” Wills explained.
Wills has always embraced the underdog tag and being able to mould players and help them reach their potential.
“We have always boxed well above our weight, I believe. We’ve got the best out of our team and loved proving those who doubted our ability wrong and we’ve done that time and time again throughout my time here which is a massive highlight,” said Wills.
Southern Steel coach Reinga Bloxham has left to coach in the United Kingdom, while the Tactix have lost Marianne Dleaney-Hoshek, who is stepping down from her role.