The Kiwi aiming to lead Wales to Netball World Cup

After underachieving at this summer's Commonwealth Games, Wales are determined to put things right in Netball World Cup qualifying.

And while Emily Handyside's departure as head coach was planned before the Games rather than being a reaction to Wales' 10th-place finish, the team hope to be reinvigorated by a new woman at the helm.

Dragons head coach Reinga Bloxham has been drafted in as interim head coach of the Welsh Feathers.

Having led Dragons to fifth place in the Netball Super League (NSL) last season, she was named the competition's coach of the year.

As Bloxham steps up from Welsh team manager in Glasgow to taking the coaching reins, Wales will be hoping she can enjoy further success.

"It's something that I probably didn't think I'd even be sitting here doing," Bloxham told BBC Sport Wales.

"But I'm really excited and I feel very privileged and honoured to be given the opportunity.

"I know I'm not Welsh, but I feel really Welsh, which is an odd thing to say but yeah, I've got a real sense of pride in being able to lead this group."

Bloxham, who is affectionately known as "Curly", has been explicit in her messaging to the players about her change of role.

"I made a conscious shift to make sure that the lines were really clear about [how] I'm not the team manager, I'm definitely the head coach now," she said.

"For me it's a lot more comfortable. That's where I wanted to be anyway, so in this coaching space it's a nice transition.

"Probably for the girls, it was good as well because we were really clear about this group being a brand new group, starting a brand new campaign, so a fresh start for all of us."

Wales face Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Scotland in East Kilbride this weekend with the top two earning spots at the 2027 Netball World Cup.

Bloxham has made clear the target is three wins, even if two will be enough to get the team to Australia.

"I'm very much process-driven and I know that if we think about the outcome of games, we might trip ourselves up," she said.

"For us, it's making sure that we've had a really good look at ourselves, acknowledging the things that we're doing well, but also where we need to be better.

"Three from three is the ultimate aim and ultimately, as long as we qualify, we'll be happy... but nothing less than three from three, I'd be very happy."

It is clear that the Welsh players have got under Bloxham's skin.

"They do in good ways and also bad ways but I really enjoy working with this group," she added.

"I think they're really determined, they're dedicated and they're committed.

"They often don't ask for anything, but they just work tirelessly behind the scenes so you can't ask for much more as a coach."

So what is it like to be coached by Bloxham? Goal shooter Georgia Rowe is glowing in her praise of the Kiwi.

"She's so open-minded and she's also really approachable," Rowe said.

"I know that I work best with a coach when I feel like I can just be open, honest and direct and say everything that you want to say; it's a two-way thing with Curly.

"You play your best when you're having fun she definitely instils that."

Rowe says Bloxham has brought confidence back into the squad.

"She has done exactly what needed to be done in this block of training," added the 6ft 4in Rowe, the tallest player in NSL.

"I think there was a little bit of anticipation coming back in and just thinking 'how are we gonna get our heads together now and get that confidence back up?'.

"We wanted to come in and feel like this is a reset, a fresh start, a new opportunity and they've created that environment for us perfectly."

Wales captain Bethan Partridge, who hopes to be going to a third World Cup, says Bloxham has built "really good relationships" with players both on and away from the court.

"She's provided that real clarity of what is expected of us all on court and but also that united belief that we're really good and we do some really good stuff," Partridge said.

Goal defence Millie Carter has earned a re-call under Bloxham and says the squad are buying into what the New Zealander has asked for.

"There's real belief behind her," Carter said.

"We really believe in what she's coming across with, how she wants to represent us and what she's putting her name towards."

Initially, Bloxham is in charge for these next three games.

When asked whether she would take the job on a longer-term basis, Boxham said: "I think if you'd asked me this question two years ago, the answer would have been very clear, and it would have been no.

"I always saw myself as being part of the set-up and the coaching set-up. Having that international experience is really important to me, but I didn't see myself as being the head coach.

"However, I think for me that has shifted in the past few months and I am really happy with the position I am now. We'll just have to wait to see what happens in the next couple of weeks."

Vicky Booth, Millie Carter, Alex Johnson, Nansi Kuti, Zoe Matthewman, Leah Middleton (vice-capt), Caris Morgan, Bethan Partridge (capt), Megan Pilkington, Georgia Rowe, Lowri Windsor, Phillipa Yarranton.

Friday, September 25

Wales v Northern Ireland 17:00 (BST)

Scotland v Republic of Ireland 19:00 (BST)

Saturday, September 26

Republic of Ireland v Wales 15:00 (BST)

Scotland v Northern Ireland 17:00 (BST)

Sunday, September 27

Northern Ireland v Republic of Ireland 12:00 (BST)

Scotland v Wales 14:00 (BST)