Wills to coach Stars in 2018

World champion NZU21 coach Kiri Wills will coach the Northern Stars in the 2018 ANZ Premiership.

She takes over from Australian Julie Hoornweg who coached the team during their inaugural year.

Northern Stars Board Chairman Bill Francis said it was an exciting step forward for the Club which was looking to build on the foundations built in their debut campaign.

“We’ve seen what Kiri has done with some of the country’s brightest stars in the national under-21 side at the World Youth Cup, and we’re very pleased to have her on board with our Stars,” Francis said.

“It is also encouraging for us to see a New Zealand coach come through the pathways in this country and reach their goal of coaching at the top level.”

Wills said she was delighted to take on the job in New Zealand’s toughest Netball league.

“It has been an ambition of mine to guide a team in the ANZ Premiership and it’s exciting to do that with the newest one in the league,” Wills said.

“I enjoyed watching New Zealand’s best players go head-to-head each week and now it’s my challenge to get the best out of the Northern Stars on a regular basis.”

Wills will commence her new role on December 1. Prior to this, she will lead the FAST5 Ferns at the Fast 5 World Netball Series in Melbourne in October.