Ruth Aitken
Encyclopedia
Ruth Ellina Aitken, ONZM
(née
Fathers; born 31 July 1956 in Paeroa
, New Zealand
) is a New Zealand former international-level netball
player and former head coach of the New Zealand national netball team, the Silver Ferns
. A former goal-attack, Aitken represented New Zealand in the 1979 World Netball Championships in Trinidad and Tobago, playing two warm-up games and then in one match against Ireland.
Aitken became coach of the Silver Ferns in 2001, replacing Yvonne Willering. During Aitken's tenure as national head coach, the Silver Ferns won the 2003 World Netball Championships and the 2006
and 2010
Commonwealth Games, but came second to Australia
at both the 2002 Commonwealth Games
and the 2007 World Netball Championships. In February 2008, Aitken was re-signed as national head coach for a further four years.
In 2011, Aitken was named in the Queen's Birthday Honours List as an Officer in the New Zealand Order of Merit
, alongside Silver Ferns captain Casey Williams
.
In late 2011, she retired as coach of the national team - and was later replaced by assistant Waimarama Taumaunu
.
New Zealand Order of Merit
The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order established in 1996 "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits."The order includes five...
(née
NEE
NEE is a political protest group whose goal was to provide an alternative for voters who are unhappy with all political parties at hand in Belgium, where voting is compulsory.The NEE party was founded in 2005 in Antwerp...
Fathers; born 31 July 1956 in Paeroa
Paeroa
Paeroa is a small town in New Zealand, in the northern Waikato region of the Thames Valley. Located at the foot of the Coromandel Peninsula, it is close to the junction of the Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers, 20 kilometres from the coast at the Firth of Thames...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
) is a New Zealand former international-level netball
Netball
Netball is a ball sport played between two teams of seven players. Its development, derived from early versions of basketball, began in England in the 1890s. By 1960 international playing rules had been standardised for the game, and the International Federation of Netball and Women's Basketball ...
player and former head coach of the New Zealand national netball team, the Silver Ferns
Silver Ferns
The New Zealand national netball team, commonly known as the Silver Ferns, represent New Zealand in international netball. The team take their nickname from the Silver Tree Fern , which is an iconic emblem for many New Zealand sports teams. The Silver Ferns were formed in 1938 as a representative...
. A former goal-attack, Aitken represented New Zealand in the 1979 World Netball Championships in Trinidad and Tobago, playing two warm-up games and then in one match against Ireland.
Aitken became coach of the Silver Ferns in 2001, replacing Yvonne Willering. During Aitken's tenure as national head coach, the Silver Ferns won the 2003 World Netball Championships and the 2006
Netball at the 2006 Commonwealth Games
The 2006 Commonwealth Games was the third Games at which netball, one of the few women-only sports in the Commonwealth Games, was played. The preliminary matches were held at the State Netball and Hockey Centre in the Melbourne suburb of Parkville, with the finals being held at the multi-purpose...
and 2010
Netball at the 2010 Commonwealth Games
Netball was one of 17 sports that were contested at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Netball is a core sport for women at the Commonwealth Games, and one of only three events in the 2010 programme for women only...
Commonwealth Games, but came second to Australia
Australia national netball team
The Australia national netball team, commonly known as the Australian Netball Diamonds, represent Australia in international netball tests and competitions. The team was formed in 1938 and played in the first international game of netball, against New Zealand...
at both the 2002 Commonwealth Games
2002 Commonwealth Games
The 2002 Commonwealth Games were held in Manchester, England from 25 July to 4 August 2002. The XVII Commonwealth Games was the largest multi-sport event ever to be held in the UK, eclipsing London's 1948 Summer Olympics in numbers of teams and athletes participating.After the 1996 Manchester...
and the 2007 World Netball Championships. In February 2008, Aitken was re-signed as national head coach for a further four years.
In 2011, Aitken was named in the Queen's Birthday Honours List as an Officer in the New Zealand Order of Merit
New Zealand Order of Merit
The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order established in 1996 "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits."The order includes five...
, alongside Silver Ferns captain Casey Williams
Casey Williams
Casey May Williams, ONZM is a New Zealand international netball player. Williams is the current captain of the New Zealand national netball team, the Silver Ferns, and plays for the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in the ANZ Championship.Williams has been a member of the New Zealand national netball...
.
In late 2011, she retired as coach of the national team - and was later replaced by assistant Waimarama Taumaunu
Waimarama Taumaunu
Waimarama Taumaunu, MBE, is a New Zealand netball coach and former international netball player.Taumaunu was born in Waipawa, New Zealand. She was a member of New Zealand's national netball team, the Silver Ferns, from 1981 to 1991...
.