Award-winning Dunedin netball coach does it to encourage 'confidence and self worth' in girls

A determined Dunedin netball coach who's this week's winner of Seven Sharp's ASB Good as Gold says coaches like her do it because they want girls to have confidence and self-worth.

Rua Hagan was emotional as presenter Sam Wallace interrupted a coaching session to tell her it's about time someone with a lifetime commitment like hers is rewarded for the amazing work she does.

Ms Hagan was rewarded with a trip for her and a friend to the Fast 5 series netball world championships in Melbourne, and $4000 spending money for her on the holiday.

Sharron Greene who nominated Ms Hagan for the award said she has had two back surgeries and is in constant pain. 

"But you wouldn't hear that from her. You ask her how she is, she'll say 'I'm fantastic', Ms Greene said.

"She brings people together and she makes them believe in themselves. At the moment she's got three teams."

Ms Hagan, whose coaching language is known to be a bit 'colourful' at times, said she has been coaching for 30 years, "because I love it. I just love netball. I love coaching, I love kids, yeah. 

"There's a lot of us coaches out there that do what we do, that don't get paid. We do it because we want those little girls to grow into big girls with confidence and self worth, not just on the netball court but outside. They take this away with them," she said, holding back tears.