Fuller gets started

Malawi National Netball Team expatriate coach Debbie Fuller says her immediate task will be to assess the players called into camp in preparation for the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games in Scotland in July. The New Zeland netball legend said this on arrival in the country on Sunday to take up her new post. “It is important to build a foundation going forward and the first step will be to assess the 44 players by giving them an opportunity to show their skills,” she said.

“From there, we will cut to about 20 players and then the final 12 that will travel to Glasgow.” Fuller also said she knows a lot about Malawi netball having watched and played against them in different competitions at world stage. “So, I always understood that Malawi is such a dynamic, fast and very determined team. A proud netballing nation with an amazing pool of talent,” she said.

“Malawi has always been able to produce world-class shooters and the team has been able to compete against world netball powerhouses.” Fuller said she looks forward to getting her feet on the ground. Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) said in a statement that Fuller got down to business yesterday when she met 40 Malawi Queens trialists currently in camp. “This engagement marks the beginning of her hands-on work with the squad as preparations intensify for upcoming major international assignments,” reads the statement signed by NAM general secretary Yamikani Kauma.

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Fuller is also expected to conduct interviews for her backroom staff next week, including positions of assistant coach, team manager, strength and conditioning lead and physiotherapist. “NAM calls upon netball-loving Malawians to offer their warmest support to Debbie as she steers the Malawi netball rebuilding project, aimed at strengthening high-performance structures and positioning the Queens for sustained success on the international stage,” says the statement. NAM has set World Cup qualification and a top seven finish at the Commonwealth Games as the targets for Fuller.

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