South Auckland based team; Robinhood Stars are excited to announce the appointment of Paula Smith to the position of Assistant Coach for the upcoming 2021 ANZ Premiership.
With former Assistant Coach, Temepara Bailey opting to concentrate on the National League Head Coach Role, this has opened up an opportunity to work alongside Head Coach Kiri Wills and Smith is delighted with the appointment.
“It is great to have the opportunity work with Kiri again and all the athletes that are joining the team for 2021. I know that there is a strong foundation and culture to create the results that avid Stars fans expect.”
Smith added “The new look squad is a great mix with experience and youth and I am grateful and very excited to be to be part of the Stars for the 2021 season”
She comes armed with strong coaching credentials through recent positions as Northern Mystics Apprentice Coach, NZ Secondary School Assistant Coach, Northern Mystics Performance Analysis, Northern Marvels Head Coach and Auckland NPC Coach, whilst guiding Mt Albert Secondary School to 5 national titles
Head Coach Kiri Wills is impressed by Paula Smith’s working knowledge of the ANZ Premiership player pool having spent two years scouting opposition for the Northern Mystics. Wills is also keen to tap into her knowledge of the player pool below ANZ given her roles in both Beko and the New Zealand Secondary Schools programme. “Paula showed the panel that she is ready for the next step in her coaching career and we are really excited to have her working with us at the Robinhood Northern Stars.”
Adding to the change in the management group, Debra Charteris will be coming in as Team Manager in place of Dee Leggat who has taken up another exciting opportunity within the sporting industry. Leggat has been Manager of the team since its inception in 2017. Charteris is no stranger to the team, having assisted Leggat in the role this year when the effects of COVID brought about a revised centralised ANZ Premiership for most of the season.
The draw for the 2021 ANZ Premiership will be released shortly.
