The Southern Steel head coach has been in the Silver Ferns camp since Tuesday and will remain with the team as an assistant coach throughout the Constellation Cup.
It had been a full-on time so far for Bloxham, who was enjoying immersing herself in the team.
Her involvement was part of an initiative to give each of the ANZ Premiership coaches stints with the national sides — which also included New Zealand A and the Fast 5 Ferns.
She had learnt a lot already and while not doing a lot of hands-on coaching, had been able to contribute through such things as giving feedback and doing analysis.
It was a good taster of where Bloxham may look to end up, as she helps the side prepare for its four-test series against Australia, which begins tomorrow in Brisbane.
However, the most important thing had been understanding how to prepare her Steel players to make that jump to the national side.
"From my point of view, it’s been very valuable for us to see that next level and what’s expected of the players at that next level," she said.
"How we as franchise coaches can help lift the standard of our players, so when they get to the Silver Ferns it’s not such a huge leap."
Bloxham said it was a lift in intensity from what was evident at the franchise level.It had been valuable to see the expectations the coaches put on the players in terms of their gameplay, execution and commitment.
That execution and consistency was something she said had improved within the group since she arrived, a promising sign ahead of tomorrow’s opening game.
The team’s environment has been under high scrutiny over the past year.However, it was one Bloxham had felt comfortable in.
"Being inside it, I feel very much like I’m on the inside and not someone who’s come along the last couple of days, it’s very welcoming," she said.
"The players are very inclusive, everyone has a voice, everyone is heard and everyone is on the same page.
"So there’s a lot of shared understanding going on here of what the squad needs to do to get through to the World Cup, so its pretty exciting."
She was enjoying reconnecting with head coach Noeline Taurua — she had been her assistant at the Steel in 2016.
Since then the pair have had unprecedented success — Bloxham winning two domestic titles in New Zealand, and Taurua two titles in Australia with the Sunshine Coast Lightning.
She had also found assistant coach Debbie Fuller good to work with, as she had known her for a while but never been in a coaching environment with her.
The Ferns are coming off a 60-55 loss against Australia in the Quad Series, although it had been their most convincing display.
Three changes have been made from that squad, as they continue to try different combinations ahead of next year’s World Cup.Sulu Fitzpatrick, Erikana Pedersen and Maia Wilson have all joined the side, replacing Karin Burger, Elisapeta Toeava and Ameliaranne Ekenasio.
Confidence was increasing in the side and Bloxham felt there was every chance they could compete.
Constellation Cup
Silver Ferns v Australia
October 7, Brisbane
October 10, Townsville
October 14, Hamilton
October 18, Wellington
