Noeline Taurua To Step Down As Lightning Head Coach Following Back-To-Back Premierships

The coach responsible for guiding the Sunshine Coast Lightning to back-to-back Premierships in 2017 and 2018, Noeline Taurua, has announced she will be stepping down from her role as Head Coach at seasons end.

As the netball clubs inaugural coach, Taurua has played a pivotal role in shaping the foundations and culture of the club with the team currently sitting on top of the SSN ladder with a confirmed third-successive finals berth.

After taking on the dual roles of Lightning and New Zealand Head Coach over the past 12 months, Noeline also saw success with her national side, leading the Silver Ferns to a Netball World Cup Gold Medal.

Lightning CEO, Danielle Smith, expressed her enormous thanks to Taurua for the impact that she has made both on and off-court across her three-year tenure.

“I’d like to sincerely thank Noeline for her tremendous personal contribution to our Club,” Smith said.

“Leading the Club to back-to-back premierships in our first two seasons was obviously an outstanding achievement, but it is also her endearing personality and warmth with our fans and the community that has further enriched our Club.

Taurua decision to step down from her duties was for family reasons with Assistant Coach Kylee Byrne to take over as Head Coach of Lightning next season, in what is set to be a seamless transition.

Known for her astute coaching abilities and measured demeanour, Taurua remained humble when reflecting on her journey as Head Coach of Lightning.

“I am truly honoured and thankful to Lightning, our wonderful family of partners and the Sunshine Coast community,” Taurua said.

“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.

“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.”

The Club is set to honour her during this week’s home game against the Adelaide Thunderbirds.