Ryan Bridge: About time Dame Noeline was reinstated

It was only a matter of time before Dame Noels was allowed back where she belongs. You could almost hear the cheers from fans not just of netball but of sport in general. The problem with this whole saga is that for the most part, we the public have been left guessing what was really going on behind the scenes. The reason people became so invested, and it eventually became political, was the narrative around the story. Speak to your average punter and they’d made up their minds. Dame Noels is a bloody legend. She’s a straight shooter. She calls a spade a spade. She’s hard and hearty and gets results. It’s not tiddlywinks. It’s professional sport. And that’s why this story took off like a rocket.  High performance sport is about exactly that. If you can’t take heat, get out of the kitchen. The public backed Dame Noels because this looked like a small group of players, notably excluding star Grace Nweke, who didn’t like the coaching style. They got sour grapes. They thought they were bigger than the boss.  With Netball NZ acting as an overzealous HR department, the whole thing spiralled and the results points differential across the Tasman spoke for itself. The problem is we don’t really know exactly what went on behind the scenes. But the message from the public is pretty clear. Sports not meant to be easy. It’s not meant to be rainbows and butterflies.  It's meant to be tough. Sure, you shouldn't hit your players. Or stand on the sideline swearing at them.  But nobody has said that was happening.  And they wouldn't be taking her back if it did.  So, the best thing Netball NZ can do now is get specific on exactly what happened. And nor step aside and let cooler heads run the place.  Because this whole saga's been handled terribly.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.