Malawi national netball team

In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about Malawi national netball team. From its origin to its impact on society, we will dive into all aspects related to this topic. We will analyze its relevance today, its influence in different areas and its evolution over time. We will also examine the different perspectives and opinions that exist around Malawi national netball team, to offer a complete and enriching vision. Get ready to discover a world of fascinating information about Malawi national netball team and immerse yourself in a journey of knowledge without limits. Do not miss it!

Malawi
Nickname(s)Queens
AssociationNetball Association of Malawi
ConfederationAfrica Netball
CaptainJane Chimaliro
World ranking6 Increase
Team colours
Team colours
Alternate
Alternate
Netball World Cup
2019 placing6th
Best result5th (2007)
Commonwealth Games
2018 placing7th
Best result5th (2010), (2014)

The Malawi national netball team, nicknamed "The Queens", represent Malawi in international netball competitions.

History

Malawi have played in six World Netball Championships, famously finishing fifth in 2007.[1]

In 2012 they competed in the Fast5 tournament in Auckland, where they have had several historic results including wins over Australia and England, and finished in 5th place, just narrowly missing out on the finals. This followed a draw against Australia in the 2010 Edition. Airtel Malawi is a significant financial donor of the Malawi Queens, having sponsored their trip to Auckland for the Fast5 World Series in 2014 to a sum of K6 M.[2] The current Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) president is independent politician Abigail Shariff. She was elected to replace Khungekile Matiya in 2021.[3]

At the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Malawi defeated the second-ranked team in the world, New Zealand, for the first time in history.[4]

In November 2022,[5] the team were sixth[5] on the World Netball Rankings. Malawi competed at the Commonwealth Games, in Birmingham. By virtue of its position in the World Netball Rankings, Malawi qualified for the tournament. Fixtures were announced in November 2021, then updated with the remaining qualifiers in March 2022. Malawi finished fourth in their group at the competition behind hosts England, New Zealand and Uganda.

In 2022 Abigail Shariff and Minister of Youth and Sports, Richard Chimwendo Banda, persuaded Monica Chakwera, the first lady of Malawi. to become the patron of the national netball team. Shariff believed that the first lady would be able to assist with the team's problems. The team was suffering from a lack of funding particularly for domestic matches.[6] In May 2024 Shariff and the rest of the executive committee of the national netball team resigned. The Sports Council were obliged to step in to provide support until a new committee can be appointed.[7]

In 2023, Malawi took part in the Netball World Cup in Cape Town. Malawi finished second in Group B, winning matches against Scotland and Barbados to qualify for the second round. In the second round in Group F, Malawi won further matches against Tonga and Fiji and finished third in the group behind England and Australia, thus failing to proceed to the knockout section of the tournament. Following placement matches, Malawi finished 7th in the tournament. Joyce Mvula was the team's highest goal scorer, and the fourth highest overall in the tournament, with 194 goals.

Players

2023 Netball World Cup Roster

Jane Chimaliro (Captain), Martha Dambo, Thandi Galeta, Mwai Kumwenda, Takondwa Lwazi, Madalitso Mkandawire, Caroline Mtukule, Joyce Mvula, Grace Mwafulirwa, Lauren Ngwira, Sindi Simtowe, Towera Vinkhumbo.

Reserves: Shabel Bengo, Salome Nkhom, Mma Lepona Manyonyoba

Coach: Sam Kanyenda

Notable past players

Coaches include

The Queens have been coached by Peace Chawinga-Kaluwa. She replaced Whyte Mlilima, who was appointed as caretaker head coach after former coach late Griffin Saenda had to withdraw from the team on medical grounds in 2018.[8]

Joanna Kachilika was one of only six people who had the Africa Level One Certificate in coaching and in January 2024 she was named as Malawi's National Team Coach. She took over following an eight month hiatus after the dismissal of Peace Chawinga-Kaluwa. Her assistant was to be Eleanor Mapulanga and Beatrice Mpinganjira was the trainer. She was chosen because of her commitment but also because there was no regular wage associated with the position because of funding shortfalls.[9] In November 2024 she was replaced. This time the choice was to have co-coaches for the national team of Peace Chawinga-Kaluwa and Mary Waya.[10] Chawinga-Kaluwa had previously been the Malawian coach and Waya had been the national coach for Namibia.[11]

Kachilika was not consulted and she was offered the position of under-21 coach. She refused this position and the NAM General Secrerary, Yamikana Kauma, understood that Kachilika had instructed her lawyers and they were trying to resolve the impasse.[10]

Competitive history

Netball World Cup
Year Championship Location Placing
1995 9th World Championships Birmingham, England 8th
1999 10th World Championships Christchurch, New Zealand 11th
2003 11th World Championships Kingston, Jamaica DNQ
2007 12th World Championships Auckland, New Zealand 5th
2011 13th World Championships Singapore 6th
2015 14th World Cup Sydney, Australia 6th
2019 15th World Cup Liverpool, England 6th
2023 16th World Cup Cape Town, South Africa 7th
Netball at the Commonwealth Games
Year Games Event Location Placing
2006 XVIII Games 3rd Netball Melbourne, Australia 6th
2010 XIX Games 4th Netball Delhi, India 5th
2014 XX Games 5th Netball Glasgow, Scotland 5th
2018 XXI Games 6th Netball Gold Coast, Australia 7th
2022 XXII Games 7th Netball Birmingham, Australia 7th
World Netball Series
Year Championship Location Placing
2009 1st World Series Manchester, England 5th
2010 2nd World Series Manchester, England 5th
2011 3rd World Series Liverpool, England DNQ
2012 4th World Series Auckland, New Zealand 5th
2013 5th World Series Auckland, New Zealand 5th
2014 6th World Series Auckland, New Zealand 6th
2016 7th World Series Melbourne, Australia 3rd
2017 8th World Series Melbourne, Australia 6th
2018 9th World Series Melbourne, Australia 4th
2022 10th World Series Melbourne, Australia DNQ

[12]

References

  1. ^ Gay, Edward (17 November 2007). "Jubilant Malawi finish fifth". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  2. ^ "Face of Malawi, Oct 29, 2014". Archived from the original on 8 January 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
  3. ^ Reporter, Nyasa Times (8 August 2021). "NAM elects MP Abigail Shariff as president; Incumbent Khungekile Matiya withdrew from race - Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi". www.nyasatimes.com. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  4. ^ "Minnows Malawi shock Silver Ferns to leave New Zealand in danger of missing Commonwealth Games glory". News.com.au. 8 April 2018. Archived from the original on 12 May 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  5. ^ a b Malidadi, Mphatso (23 November 2022). "Queens move 6th in world, displace Uganda". Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  6. ^ Online, Nation (21 June 2022). "First Lady nods to Queens'role". Nation Online. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  7. ^ Malidadi, Mphatso (31 May 2024). "Sports Council to manage transition". The Times Group. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  8. ^ Mbewe, Chipambano (18 March 2018). "Malawi Queens depart without head coach Saenda: NAM appoints Mlilima as caretaker". Nyasa Times. Archived from the original on 9 April 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  9. ^ Reporter, Our (25 January 2024). "Kachilika named Queens coach". Nation Online. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
  10. ^ a b Chirwa, Garry (21 December 2024). "Ex-Queens coach snubs NAM, takeslegal action". Nation Online. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
  11. ^ Zgambo, Mike Lyson (22 July 2022). "Mary Waya appointed Namibia coach Malawi 24 | Latest News from Malawi". Malawi 24. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
  12. ^ NZ Yahoo Sports