Mark Mitchell: Sports Minister responds to Willie Jackson's call to freeze Netball NZ's funding

Sports Minister Mark Mitchell has outlined why he feels it was time for the Government to step in with the ongoing Netball New Zealand v Dame Noeline Taurua saga.

The side-lined Silver Ferns coach and the national body remain at an impasse concerning issues with the high performance environment.

Mitchell says the situation has simply dragged on for far too long.

"Everyone involved loves netball, but the fact of the matter is that this is not good for netball. It's one of our iconic games and so many people participate and enjoy the sport. This is not good for anyone, and so I've asked Sport NZ to give me advice and send a clear message."

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Ever, duplessy Ellen.

Speaker 2 (00:01):
Political pressure is now starting to mount on Netball New Zealand.
In the Dame Knowles coaching debarcle, Sports Minister Mark Mitchell
says he's told Sports New Zealand he wants the issue
solved quickly and fairly, and he's with us. Now, Hi Mitch, Hi, Heather,
why have you got involved now?

Speaker 1 (00:18):
Oh? I just think it's stregging on too long. I
think that everyone involved loves netball, but the fact of
the matter is this is not good for netball. That's
one of our iconic games and so many people participate
and enjoy the sport. This is not good for anyone
and so I've asked Sporting ZED to give me advice
and seend a clear message that this needs to be resolved.

Speaker 2 (00:40):
Have you given them a deadline? Netball New Zealand.

Speaker 1 (00:43):
No, I haven't given them a deadline because I'm not.
Actually I don't have an official role in the negotiation
and the work that's going on between Sporting Z and
Dame Noling, but you know I have an interest in this,
most keywies do. There's a few bit of funding that
to Knickball New Zealand taxpayers money. We're proud of the game.

(01:04):
It's an important game for us as a country. It's
going on too long, and so I've asked them to
of our sporting z to do everything they can and
make sure that we offer up all the support and
resource that we have to get this resolved quickly and
fearly for both parties.

Speaker 2 (01:18):
All Right, Willie Jackson wants you to cut funding until
it's resolved. Are you interested in doing that?

Speaker 1 (01:22):
No, I'm not doing that. I'm not going to punish
a whole lot of other people. I just look, like
I said to you, all the parties involved with this
are deeply passionate about the sport and about nitball. They
just have to be able to get around the table
and get agreement on this.

Speaker 2 (01:36):
Do you have any reason to believe that that Dame
Noles may be reinstated?

Speaker 1 (01:43):
I don't. I've got I mean, I do have some information.
I'm not going to breach confidence on that because both
parties are sitting down around the table to you know,
to negotiate and to come up with a fear if
you can.

Speaker 2 (01:59):
And I realize you don't want to breach confidence, so
please don't. But can you tell me if they're working
to get her reinstated or are they working to sack her.

Speaker 1 (02:08):
So again, I'm not going to breach that process because
that is something that is between those parties. Me personally,
I would love to see her read stated. I think
she's the outstanding coach I think, but I think there's
obviously issues here that they have to deal with in
address and I think that, like I said, I come
back to my default said, I just believe this either
that you know these people are, whether it be netballing

(02:30):
said or Dave Noling, look at the look at the
dedication and to the sport and the love of the sport.
Just get round the table and figure it.

Speaker 2 (02:39):
Out too, right, Mitch, thanks very much, appreciate your time.

Speaker 1 (02:42):
Mate.

Speaker 2 (02:42):
That's Mark Mitchell, Sports Minister.

Speaker 1 (02:44):
For more from Heather Duplessy Allen Drive, listen live to
News Talks.

Speaker 2 (02:48):
It'd be from four pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.