NCI coach, CEO resign

Following its first national prizegiving and in anticipation of trips to Wales and Scotland, Netball Cook Islands considers now an appropriate time to make some big changes.

”Firstly, Margaret Foster has felt a very distant coach and the lack of funds for joint team training has proved too difficult with the task she had,“ NCI said in a statement.

Accordingly, Foster has resigned as head coach.

In her letter of resignation Foster said: ”The biggest thing I see is the lack of funding and resources to help inspire and motivate the players to want to play for the Cook Islands“.

She believes NCI has passion, but that it lacks unity.

”I wish you every success and will watch with eager anticipation,“ she told NCI.

NCI president PJ Hockin thanked her for the commitment and time she has put into the players and local stand-in coach Mii Maui.

”I’m delighted and grateful that Mii has agreed to step up to the role of acting head coach through to the end of this year,“ Hockin said. ”This will see the team through the visits of Scotland and Wales in October and the International Tournament held here in December.“

At the conclusion of the October tournament a formal coach recruitment process will take place.

The NCI board has also recommended a staff restructure which will see the introduction of additional staff members. This coincides with chief executive officer Teina Taulu’s decision to spend time with a new family member and other commitments.

She will take up a part-time position of administration manager in the coming weeks.

NCI is thankful to Taulu for her hard work and dedication to the organisation, and for continuing with NCI in her part -time role.

The recruitment process for a new chief executive officer began yesterday, and an advertisement is published in the classifieds section of today’s Cook Islands News.

The last major change is a result of Luciana Matenga’s busy schedule this year. NCI is seeking a part-time assistant netball development officer, and advertisements for this role will be placed later this month.

Further development programmes will be announced soon regarding trials, coach applications and workshops for the December International Tournament. Watch this space.

Netball Cook IsIands (NCI) is responsible for the provision of netball services in the Cook Islands and its mission is to ”promote and develop netball in the Cook Islands“.

”We are confident that the new team we are bringing together as a result of our restructure will deliver on our mission in the coming years,“ Hocking said.