Mwawi is Australian top scorer, to coach Malawi schoolgirls
Malawi’s first and only professional netball export to Australia, Mwawi Kumwenda, was again at her best for Peninsula Waves in their final league match against VU Western Lightning, netting 47 baskets in a match her club lost narrowly 52-50.
Mwawi has scooped the top goal scorer of the Australian Victorian Netball League (VNL).
Her club finishes in top four among the 10 teams in VNL.
In a video phone interview with Nyasa Timesfrom Australia, Kumwenda said she was saddened that her team could not win the last match despite running neck-to neck in the last quarter at 46-46.
“It was a competitive match. I would have preferred a win,” she said.
The towering shooter who will be going to Malawi for off-season holiday, says she was grateful to the support given to her by coaches, the players and all the staff at Peninsula Waves.
“My coach, my teammates have been wonderful. I am indebted to them all,” she said.
Coaching
While in Malawi, Kumwenda said she will conduct coaching clinics in primary schools to improve the game at grassroots level.
“I have managed to secure some netball equipment like training kits, which l will distribute to some primary schools. One thing which l noted is that our friends develop netball from the grassroots level,” the 22-year-old star said.
“My ambition is to target primary school learners because in Australia the game is developed from grassroots. ,” said Kumwenda who plans to meet Sports Minister Enock Chihana to brief him on her projects.
The Malawian star had a successful season at Waves, which prompted coach, Robin Pym last season to seek more services for the second successive season.
Apart from her ambition to uplift netball from the grassroots level, Kumwenda was also given the mantle to run coaching clinics for youngsters in Australia.
Professional
Kumwenda became the first Malawian netballer to be exported to Australia on February 11 2011.
During her first season, Kumwenda was voted Waves best player of the season and was also selected in the Victorian National League all star select team.
Peninsula Waves identified Kumwenda during the 2009 World Youth Championships in Cooks Island where she was voted the best player of the tournament.
