NIC Leeds Rhinos Netball confirm Liana Leota departure

NIC Leeds Rhinos Netball have announced that Liana Leota will leave her role as Director of Netball with immediate effect due to new opportunities. 

The New Zealander, 39, took over from head coach Tracey Robinson in 2022 on a three-year contract and has helped lead the club into the new era of Netball Super League.

Leota played Netball Super League from 2016 and won the title with Manchester Thunder in 2019 before signing for Severn Stars the following season where she went on to make 34 appearances.

In New Zealand, she captained numerous clubs in the ANZ Championship over a 13-year period. She earned 41 caps with her country and was a gold medal winner at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

In 2021 Leota joined the England Roses coaching staff as Technical Coach and was part of the staff for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Franchise Director Dan Busfield commented: “We would like to wish Liana all the best for the future and thank her for all she has done for Leeds Rhinos Netball during her time at the club. Our attentions now turn to securing a coaching team for next season and an exciting new era for the club and the sport.”