Ruth Aitken

For the EastEnders character, see Ruth Fowler.
Ruth Aitken
Personal information
Full name Ruth Ellina Aitken (née Fathers)
Born (1956-07-31) 31 July 1956
Paeroa, New Zealand
Netball career
Playing position(s): WA
Medal record
Representing  New Zealand
World Netball Championships
1979 Trinidad and Tobago Netball
Last updated: 2 March 2011

Ruth Ellina Aitken, ONZM (née Fathers; born 31 July 1956 in Paeroa, New Zealand)[1][2] 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.[3]

Aitken became coach of the Silver Ferns in 2001, replacing Yvonne Willering.[3] 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.[4]

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.[5] In late 2011, she retired as coach of the national team - and was later replaced by assistant Waimarama Taumaunu.

In Dec 2012, it was announced that Aitken would take over as Technical Director and National Coach of Netball Singapore.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Aitken, Ruth (September 2002). "Ruth Aitken (nee Fathers) – Family History". Ohinemuri Regional History Journal. 46. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  2. ↑ New Zealand Olympic Committee profile. Retrieved 11 April 2009.
  3. 1 2 Rattue, Chris (7 October 2006). "Ruth Aitken profile". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 12 April 2008.
  4. ↑ NZPA (23 February 2008). "Aitken re-appointed for four more years". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 12 April 2008.
  5. ↑ Johannsen, Dana (6 June 2011). "Honours for Ferns' coach and captain". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
  6. ↑ "NETBALL SINGAPORE ANNOUNCE NEW NATIONAL COACH". 10 Dec 2012. Retrieved 18 Dec 2012.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Yvonne Willering		 Coach of the Silver Ferns
2001–2011 		Succeeded by
Waimarama Taumaunu


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