Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) has hired former New Zealand National Netball Team assistant coach Debbie Fuller as High-Performance Netball Consultant for the senior netball side on a year-long deal.
The move is a clear statement from Nam to rebuild the Malawi Queens following a battered image, having failed to win the Africa Netball Cup since 2013, when they surrendered the continental honour on home soil.
This will be the first time for the Queens to be coached by a foreign coach.
Fuller is expected to pick her own backroom staff after conducting interviews and also drill at least six local coaches.
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Nam General Secretary Yamikani hungwa-Kauma said the association was delighted to introduce Debbie Fuller as the newly appointed High Performance Netball Consultant for the Queens.
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“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 Commonwealth
Games and the 2026 Africa Netball Cup,” she said.
According to the statement, Fuller will interview and pick her technical team which includes assistant coach, team manager, strength and conditioning lead as well as physiotherapist.
The statement further said that Fuller 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.
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“While working with the Malawi Queens, Debbie will also work on a succession plan by working alongside six local coaches whose details will be released shortly,” the statement states.
Fuller won various medals as assistant coach for Silver Ferns from 2018 to 2025.
She guided the Silver Ferns to a gold medal finish at the 2018 Fast 5 Netball World Series as head coach.
Fuller’s background includes professional club coaching, performance specialist roles in the ANZ Premiership and extensive coach development work.
“As a coach consultant with High Performance Sport New Zealand (HPSNZ) since 2022, she has provided strategic insights into national coaching appointments and initiatives,” the Nam statement reads.
Fuller said she was delighted to be part of the Malawi Queens rebuilding exercise.
“My first reaction is excitement. The tasks ahead are swiftly respecting and understanding what created and led to Malawi’s best performances and to work back from there,” she said.
Fuller spoke highly of the Queens’ style of play.
“First impressions of the Malawi netball team are always clear because I have scouted them for international[s]. Malawi is built on [a] strong, proud netballing nation, consistently competitive on the world stage.
“Past coaches have laid a powerful foundation, installing the signature Malawi expansive style of play and Malawi always produces players who are athletic, adaptive and, above all, deeply passionate about the game Meanwhile, Nam President Vitumbiko Gubuduza has said the association is grateful to Jane Patterson, interim Chief Executive Officer of Netball New Zealand, for allowing Fuller to support Nam in this endeavour, and for understanding Malawi’s efforts in strengthening its high-performance and organisational capability under a new management structure.
“Nam is thrilled to welcome Debbie Fuller as High Performance Consultant for the Malawi Queens. Her world-class experience with the Silver Ferns, multiple gold medals, World Cup successes and Commonwealth Games honours, will be invaluable as we prepare for the 2026 Commonwealth Games and Africa Netball Cup.
