Temepara Bailey (R) is a former assistant coach of the Stars, when Kiri Wills (L) was the head coach. Photo: photosport
Former Silver Ferns playing great Temepara Bailey is returning to the Northern Stars as their new head coach in the ANZ Premiership.
Bailey will replace Kiri Wills, who announced last month she was ending her seven-year tenure as Stars coach to take charge of the Queensland Firebirds in the Australian Super Netball league.
The 48-year-old is a former assistant at the Stars to Wills, before taking up a role as head coach of the Gold Coast Titans in the Queensland domestic competition.
Bailey played 89 tests in a 15-year Silver Ferns career, the lively centre establishing herself as one of the country's finest midcourters.
Silver Ferns Temepara Bailey and Laura Langman playing against Jamaica Photo: ©PHOTOSPORT 2010 www.photosport.co.nz
She became a foundation member of the Stars squad in 2017 and said she was excited to return to the club.
"I grew up in South Auckland and it's great to come back to my roots and be the head coach of the Stars," she said.
"I'm really excited about the challenge. It's not going to be easy, but there's a lot of good people in amongst the franchise."
The Stars endured a disappointing 2024 season, finishing second-last with just two wins from 15 games - a year after reaching the grand final.
Northern Stars midcourter Temepara Bailey is making waves in the 2019 ANZ Premiership season Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2019 www.photosport.nz
Bailey said she would embrace the opportunity to improve the Auckland-based outfit, who are still to win a title in their eight seasons of existence.
"I started in the Titans programme pretty much from nothing, and three years in I think we've got everything in place and the opportunity came at the right time," Bailey said.
"It's about building on that foundation that's already there, but also bringing my own style as well.
"It will be challenging because next season is shortened. We've got to hit the ground running because we won't be playing the opposition three times.
"It's competitive, and I've noticed with new coaches coming on board and their styles and the players they're recruiting will make for an interesting year."
Temepara Bailey playing for the Silver Ferns in 2001 Photo: www.photosport.co.nz
Stars general manager Jane Bennett expected Stars fans to welcome Bailey's return.
"She's an icon of New Zealand netball and already has strong links to our community, so I know she'll bring tremendous value on and off the court.
"I'm a personal fan of Temepara as a player, but also impressed with the work she has done in the high performance coaching space over the last few years. I know she will develop strong connections with our athletes and build on the Stars culture we are renowned for."