Mwawi joins New Zealand club
Netball star Mwawi Kumwenda has become the first Malawian professional netballer after signing a one-year contract with New Zealand netball team, EasyYo Tactix, according to New Zealand Netball League website.
The 24-year-old former Escom Sisters goal shooter also made history by becoming the first player from Peninsula Waves Netball Club to play professional netball.
Tactix netball chief Brigit Hearn expressed delight after roping in Mwawi from Australia’s Victorian Netball League.
“Mwawi is an exciting, dynamic player and we know she’ll be a fantastic addition to the Tactix team. She has a different playing style to what we’re used to, and we see that as a real positive as we continue to build and develop Tactix into an extremely competitive side,” she said on netball New Zealand website.
She also expressed confidence that Mwawi will do well in the New Zealand’s most elite netball league.
“We know Mwawi will fit right in and help take us there.”
The 183cm shooter is coming off a record-breaking season in the Australian Netball League, where she scored 461 goals to win the competition’s Most Valuable Player Award and lead her side to the title.
“Since I was a kid, all I wanted was to play netball. God has been kind to me that my dream has been realised. I feel excited that now I have turned professional. It is a dream come true,” Mwawi said in an interview from Melbourne, Australia, on Wednesday.
Mwawi also paid tribute to Waves’ scout Maxine Wauchope.
“If it were not for Maxine, I would not even be here. If Maxine had [not come to] Cook Islands, I could never have found myself in Australia,” said Mwawi.
