Queens get Mwawi boost

The Malawi Queens have received a timely boost as Australia-based veteran shooter Mwawi Kumwenda M’bwana has confirmed her availability for the forthcoming 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games in Scotland. The development comes as a relief for the Queens as her availabilty was uncertain having last played for the Malawi National Netball Team at the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa. It will also be a perfect solace following the recent retirement of revered former UK-based shooter Joyce Mvula.

In an interview on Friday, the Australian second-tier league side Peninsula Waves gangly shooter said: “It’s on the plan to play as I am always committed to represent the Queens.” Mwawi was one of the 44 players that the new Queens’ expatriate gaffer Debbie Fuller called for preliminary assessments ahead of the Commonsweath Games scheduled for July. But she could not be drawn to comment on when she will join the squad. Netball Association of Malawi general secretary Yamikani Kauma said they are happy that Mwawi has committed to the Queens’ cause.

“It is very good to hear about her availability. She is a big inspiration to up-and-coming players and her experience is very vital to the team, especially at such big tournaments,” she said. Following Mvula’s recent retirement, the 36-year-old celebrated star is currently the only Malawian netballer based overseas.

[paywall]

She also became the first Malawian professional netballer when she joined Waves in 2011 and went on to play for big teams in the Australian and New Zealand top-flight netball leagues for over a decade. Apart from winning the 2015 Netball World Cup Player of the Tournament, Mwawi was also the tournament’s top scorer. She was also the top scorer at the 2014 and 2018 Commonwealth Games.

[/paywall]