Following the Malawi National Netball Team’s awful display at the Africa Netball Cup in 2025, Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) has taken a strategic move to hire an international netball consultant to revive the senior side.
The Queens finished fourth at the continental tournament, missing automatic qualification for the 2027 Netball World Cup finals in Sydney, Australia.
In a statement released yesterday, Nam indicated that it had embarked on a comprehensive high‑performance reset for the Queens as part of preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games and the 2026 Africa Netball Cup, Netball World Cup Qualifiers.
“This strategic initiative reflects Nam’s commitment to enhancing tactical performance, strengthening technical capacity and building long‑term sustainability while preserving and enhancing Malawi’s rich and respected netball culture.
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“At the centre of this reset is the engagement of [an] international high‑performance expert to work alongside Malawi Netball’s technical leadership, athletes and support staff. The focus is on modernising training systems, strengthening match execution, improving conditioning and mental resilience and ensuring the Malawi Queens are fully prepared to compete consistently against the world’s best,” the statement, which has been signed by Nam General Secretary Yamikani Khungwa-Kauma, reads.
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The Nam GS says the expatriate would also focus on capacity building and succession planning of six Malawian coaches that would be identified and embedded into the high‑performance environment.
“This structured mentorship and hands‑on training model is designed to accelerate technical and tactical knowledge transfer, improve coaching standards across the national pathway, build a sustainable pool of elite local coaches and ensure long‑term continuity beyond the current competition cycle. This approach ensures that the benefits of international expertise extend well beyond the national team, strengthening the broader Malawian netball ecosystem,” Khungwa-Kauma said.
Currently, the Queens and junior national teams are without coaches following the expiry of contracts for respective mentors.
However, Khungwa-Kauma said qualified coaches were free to apply for the jobs which have been advertised.
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Meanwhile, the association’s president Vitumbiko Mwandemange -Gubuduza has said the initiative comes at a pivotal moment for Malawi Netball.
“The Malawi Queens have a proud and respected history on the international stage, inspiring players and supporters across the country. Following encouraging performances at the Netball Youth World Cup and the Africa Netball Cup, the focus is now firmly on converting emerging talent into consistent senior‑level success with the support of Nico Group and our oversight Ministry.
Local netball pundit Neffie Kam’mata lauded the move.
“We need fresh and different ideas to revamp our netball. Otherwise, our netball will continue regressing,” she said.
In a related development, three Malawi Queens players — Tendai Masamba, Melia Soko and Stella Matelezi—will feature in the Singapore’s Deloitte Netball Super League next month.
This follows an initiative by United Kingdom-based athletes management firm Step Out 7 and Netball Singapore.
Khungwa-Kauma said the month-long stay in Singapore would give the trio invaluable additional exposure, competitive experience against top talent and further development in a professional environment.
According to a statement from Nam, Vanessa Sisters’ centre Soko and Blue Eagles Sisters’ attacker Matelezi were spotted at the Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar and the Africa Netball Cup 2025.
Tigresses’ all-rounder Tendai Masamba has been one of the consistent performers for the Queens.
Meanwhile, Step Out 7 and Netball Singapore have expressed excitement with the players, who include those from other African countries such as Uganda and Zimbabwe.
