Stars coach relishing her return to home patch
Honing her credentials off-shore for the past three years, Temepara Bailey could not have scripted a return to home base any better following her appointment as coach of the Stars for the 2025 ANZ Premiership league.
Notching up 89 test caps for the Silver Ferns, the dynamic little midcourter quickly moved into coaching following a dazzling and decorated playing career, coaching the Comets in the National Netball League before heading to Australia and becoming coach of the inaugural Gold Coast Titans in Queensland’s Sapphire Series.
"Coaching at that next level was the next step for me, whether in New Zealand or Australia but it’s very relevant for me ending up with the Stars because it’s the area where I was born, bred and grew up, so it’s all worked out to be a little bit more special,’’ Bailey said.
A foundation member when the Stars were established in 2017 for the new ANZ Premiership league, Bailey has noticed plenty of changes during her time away
"It’s been interesting,’’ she said. "I suppose one of the big ones is the restriction you have on players’ time. That’s been a big eye-opener but you just make things work.
"It was nice when we all finally got together as a team. The pre-season used to be in November way back when I played but now we get them (players) in March, so that was all different and leaving it to them and their own environment to ensure that they’re ready to come into a full-on pre-season.
"But, other than that, it’s been awesome. I love the team concept and that team vibe and everything that comes with it. It’s not all roses, there’s always challenges but I enjoy that.’’
This year the Stars have a mix of returning players (Kate Burley, Monica Falkner, Lisa Mather, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Lili Tokaduadua and Maia Wilson), some who have played for the team previously (Samon Nathan and Greer Sinclair) and two who have spent their careers playing in Australia (Remi Kamo, who has New Zealand heritage, and Charlie Bell).
"I am happy with the balance of our side but it’s not really until you go into that first game when it all becomes real, and you think `yes, we’re where we want to be’, Bailey said. "I know we’re heading in the right direction but it’s when we hit that first game, I think that will tell a story.’’
Her time with the Titans has allowed Bailey to broaden her coaching skillset, including starting a team from scratch, and it’s more than likely there will be a mix of styles coming out of the Stars this season.
"I guess I’m trying to weave in little things,’’ she said. "Obviously, we’ve got Remi Kamo (defender) who’s played all her netball in Australia as has Charlie Bell (shooter), so we’ve got some Australian flavour in there. So, in terms of the game style, I think there will be some little changes.’’
Strategy-wise, Bailey has experience with the two-point shot which was introduced to the Queensland competition last year and will feature for the first time in the ANZ Premiership this season, where the it will come into play for the last five minutes of each quarter.
"I think it’s great they’ve brought it into New Zealand netball,’’ she said. "You can be up by 10 going into the last quarter and lose by two, and it just makes it so much more exciting for the fans, although it could make a coach go grey, or make their hair grow longer, one or the other.’’
The biggest focus for Bailey is consistency in the Stars game play.
"We want to make it into that Finals Series (top three) but ensuring that what we practice is put out on court, that we’re together as a team and that we progress consistently,’’ she said
"There’s going to be times where we may take a little dip in where we want to go but it’s how we come back from it that will count.’’