Malawi National Netball Team shooter Mwawi Kumwenda’s partnership with Melbourne Vixens of Australia will continue in an off-court capacity despite leaving the club.
Mwawi has left the Suncorp Super Netball League side and rejoined Peninsula Waves where she launched her professional career.
Vixens Head Coach Simone McKinnis confirmed that the Malawian international would not be contracted to the club for the 2025 season but wished Mwawi the best.
“As a team, we are really proud watching MJ [Mwawi Jasinta] grow into her new role as a mum, and we recognise the enormity of what she’s gone through in the past few weeks welcoming her first baby.
- Advertisement -
“We will keep working with MJ on what her future looks like as she settles into this exciting new stage of her life outside netball – for now she is focusing on being a mum to little Maximus and we will continue supporting her as she takes the time she needs,” she told the club’s website.
- Advertisement -
McKinnis tipped Mwawi on having a developmental coaching role.
“I have loved seeing MJ take on a mentor role with some of our younger players this year, she adds so much to our team environment and to our netball community at grassroots level as well,” McKinnis said.
Mwawi hailed the club for the support and pledged her loyalty to other off-court initiatives.
“I am grateful for the club’s support as we settle into our new family life; for now I am excited to keep working with Netball Victoria and the Vixens off the court and we will see what the future brings for me on the court,” she wrote on Vixens website.
- Advertisement -
Meanwhile, Waves were excited to announce Mwawi’s return to the championship club.
“We cannot wait to continue to be part of Mwawi’s netball journey as she returns to the court after the birth of her son Maximus.
“MJ will be a great asset for our club on and off the court. She brings lots of experience playing netball at the top level, including representing her country Malawi at World Cups and many years with the Melbourne Vixens. She will be an amazing on court leader to our young team as well as a great asset to all our pathway players,” the club reported.
Mwawi launched her professional career in 2011 when she joined the Australian side from Escom Sisters [now Kukoma Diamonds]. She then joined Victorian Fury in 2013 before moving to New Zealand where she played for Mainland Tactix from 2014 to 2016.
She returned to Australia in 2016, when she was playing for Vixens.
