Netball: Malawi's development onto the world scene is here to stay, says Anita Navin

It might be stated that ‘the difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination’ and it certainly holds true for the development of Malawi as a netballing nation who compete with the very best in the world.

It was Mary Waya who captured the hearts of all supporters at this competition with her unique flair and style, now emulated by others.

Liz Broomhead MBE, once the England senior coach, was the individual who adopted the Malawi squad on their first appearance at the World Championships in Birmingham during 1995.  Malawi and South Africa were the only two African teams in the competition on their return from apartheid. 

Netballers in England and Wales sent the Malawi squad home with coaching resources, bibs and netballs so they could begin to introduce and develop the sport in more areas.  It was Mary Waya who captured the hearts of all supporters at this competition with her unique flair and style, now emulated by others.

Malawi soon earned respect for their innate talents on the court and, most of all, for their capacity to keep possession at times for over 50 passes against the top nations. Resources were never plentiful in the early years and it was the determination of Waya and her fellow players who committed fully to coach their peers and youngsters in their home country to grow the sport they loved. 

With limited resources and a mass of determination and commitment, netball is the largest female sport in the country and now played in all schools and villages. Waya and Helen Mpinganjira have continued to develop the sport and there are now strong provincial leagues set up and running successfully.

Education

It was Waya who first partnered Mwai Kumwenda and taught her the shooter court craft to compete on the world stage. Kumwenda is now competing in the ANZ competition for Canterbury Tactix and is also now actively coaching across Malawi and supporting the development of others. 

Waya said: “It was the Malawi Government, through sports and education, that introduced capacity building in the development of sport in school and cities. They introduced netball games and cups in which we were participating.

“This started when Malawi were in partnership with Wales and many Welsh coaches and umpires were coming over to conduct coaching and umpiring seminars. They were using young and up-and-coming players in their teams. These players are now coaching in Malawi.”

UK Sport have supported the development of female sport in Africa and it was Broomhead who first delivered a netball safari around the townships in Malawi to introduce netball to more potential coaches, umpires and players in 2007. 

Waya has also been supported by the International Netball Federation and other coaches are now being accredited as part of this programme. Joan Smit is a development officer in Malawi working on behalf of the INF and funded through UK Sport.  Smit is a member of the Olympic Committee in Africa and has been a great advocate and supporter for the Malawi Netball Association. 

Scouted

Malawi look set to continue to develop talented athletes as Waya recently set up her own netball academy.  She is working with over 30 players who have been scouted for their netball talent. Waya is now a figurehead for netball across Africa, leading sessions in Ethiopia and Tanzania. 

She has a great sense of humour, dogged determination and the resilience to conquer any problem encountered.  Mary is kind, respectful, humorous and has a passion to ensure the promotion of netball as the leading sport continues in Malawi.  There is an acceptance that all players will support the development of others and it is this approach which will no doubt keep the Malawi Queens in the top flight.

England v Malawi play their first Test on Wednesday at 7.30pm on Sky Sports 3 HD. They meet again on Saturday at 3pm on Sky Sports 4 HD.