Fuller wants to sharpen Queens’ strength

Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) has signed a one-year deal with New Zealander expatriate coach Debbie Fuller as a high performance netball consultant for the Malawi Queens. In an interview from New Zealand yesterday after cimpleting the deal, Fuller said her expectations are to support the Queens “to explore what they can do with what they already have”. She said: “The Malawi game style is already a huge strength, so my role will be to sharpen the strength of the current squad.

“Some recent performances may not have matched past successes, but you get success in netball when you deserve it and you deserve success when you outwork, outthink and outlearn opposition. “It’s not timely to make drastic changes, energy is better spent getting clear and working at what will matter the most to get to where the team wants.” In a separate interview yesterday, NAM general secretary Yamikani Kauma said the New Zealand netball legend, who won the 2019 Netball World Cup as an assistant coach, is expected to arrive in the country on February 21. “She will immediately begin hands-on work by camping with the Malawi Queens, conducting intensive training sessions, and meeting with key stakeholders, including the Malawi Queens sponsors Nico Group and the Malawi National Council for Sports,” she said.

Fuller’s recruitment marks a new chapter in Malawi netball as it will be the first time for the Malawi National netball Team to have an expatriate gaffer. Kauma said apart from the task to turn around the Queens’ fortunes, the priority for Fuller will be to conduct high level training for six selected coaches. She said: “Debbie brings a wealth of international expertise and a proven track record in high-performance netball to support the team’s preparations for the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games in Scotland and the 2026 Africa Netball Cup.

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The targets set by NAM for the New Zealand netball legend are guiding the Queens to a top three finish at the2026 Africa Netball Cup, leading to 2027 Netball World Cup qualification, a top seven finish at the forthcoming 2026 Commonwealth Games and top level training for the six coaches. NAM says Fuller will interview and choose her technical team, including an assistant coach, team manager, strength and conditioning lead and physiotherapist. “This is the team that she will lead during her year-long contract, with interviews set for next [this] week.

Debbie will also work closely with the technical team management, athletes, and staff to share expertise fully respecting and enhancing Malawi’s strong netball culture and style of play,” reads the statement. NAM further says while working with the Malawi Queens, Fuller will also come up with a succession plan by working alongside the six local coaches “whose details will be released shortly”.

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