1981
Marjorie (Marj) Jenden is awarded Life Membership after holding governance roles with the NZNA and as Vice President of the sport’s governing body (IFNA) while also presiding over both Wellington and Kapi Mana Centres. Named in her honour, the Marjorie Jenden Tournament is an annual age-group event which has been running for many years.
1983
The sixth edition of the World Championships is held in Singapore, the first time the tournament is played in Asia and features 14 teams. Played in sweltering conditions where temperatures reached 41degC, New Zealand won all six of their group matches, progressing to the final with Australia, England and Trinidad & Tobago. The four sides then played each other once with the unbeaten New Zealand and Australia contesting the final, won 47-42 by Australia. New Zealand were coached by Lois Muir and captained by Lyn Parker.
With netball featuring more prominently across all domestic codes, Waikato won the national title (Grade One) for the first time.
1984
Canterbury, Waikato and Wellington produce the first and only three-way tie for New Zealand Cup (Grade One) honours at the national provincial championships.
1985
New Zealand win gold medal at the World Games in London.
Wellington win the New Zealand Cup as the best Grade One team at the national provincial championships.
1986
Auckland began a dominant era at national provincial level, scooping the New Zealand Cup and going on to win the next nine in a row to set an unrivalled record.
1987
In a similar format to the previous tournament four years earlier, New Zealand dominated the 17-strong field at the seventh World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. Widely regarded as one of the greatest New Zealand teams, no other side came within 10 goals of the Silver Ferns as they swept all before them to finish with an unblemished record. Dawn Jones umpired at a New Zealand record fourth World Championships.
Waikato’s Anne Taylor is awarded Life Membership to the NZNA. A certified coach and umpire, Taylor umpired the first televised netball test match in New Zealand, was president of the national body during which time the profile of netball rose significantly, resulting in increased media coverage and sponsorship. She was also responsible for starting a league for club teams, sponsored by the Bendon Group and obtaining sponsorship for the long-running Milo test series. She also held the roles of executive officer of the Oceania Netball Federation and was President of the international body.
1988
The Milo International Series was held between New Zealand and Trinidad & Tobago, the Silver Ferns winning a tight three-test series 2-1. New Zealand won the first test 43-40 in Auckland with Trinidad & Tobago bouncing back to snatch the second 38-37 in Palmerston North before New Zealand clinched the decider 48-25 in Christchurch.
In their end of season tour to England, New Zealand completed a series sweep after posting 46-27, 47-25 (at the famous Wembley Stadium) and 40-30 wins. After 14 years, Lois Muir ends her tenure as Silver Ferns coach which included three World Cups, jointly winning the title with Trinidad and Tobago and Australia in 1979, finishing runners-ups to Australia in 1983 and winning outright in 1987. Muir finished with an excellent 85 percent success rate which included 91 wins, 10 losses and six draws from 107 test matches.
Taking on the captaincy in her final year, New Zealand defender Tracey Fear retires after an outstanding career. Amassing 63 caps, Fear was the world’s best goalkeeper at the time in a dominant era for New Zealand.
1989
Just four years after retiring from an outstanding playing career, Lyn Gunson becomes the fifth coach of New Zealand. At the World Games, held in West Germany, for sports which had applied for Olympic recognition, but had not been accepted, New Zealand win all their matches, including the final against Australia. New Zealand also complete a clean sweep in the three test Milo International Series against Australia. The Silver Ferns win the team award and Lyn Gunson the coach/administrator award at the New Zealand Sportsman of the Year Awards.
After 14 years at the helm of the Silver Ferns and her wide-spread contribution to netball across many facets, incomparable coach Lois Muir is awarded Life Membership of Netball New Zealand.